Important COVID-19 Updates from Dr. Summers

Hi SO Friends & Family

The SO Team and I continue to be humbled by all the love and support you have shown us all. I am also grateful that the SO Team has continued to provide incredible communication to our patients throughout all the crazy scenarios and modifications we have all endured in our lives in the past 14 months. However, I feel like it has been far too long since I have written a heart-felt letter to our wonderful families! Well… get ready! I will be unveiling exciting news in the coming weeks and months… stay tuned! (Now… don’t get the rumor mill going! And have no fear!.. I am NOT GOING ANYWHERE! The excitement is in regards to our growth and expansion!)

OK – back to the task at hand. We are SO ready to get things back to our new normal, and I suspect many of you feel the same way. We will continue to provide the highest level of patient care and cleanliness in our office that you have come to enjoy and expect. With that being said, we are glad to announce that many of pre-Covid amenities will be once again offered at SO.

• Masks are always welcomed, but no longer required to be worn while in the office as patients or family. We do ask that you be courteous as always and respect those who choose to, or not to wear a mask as their personal choice.
• Andrea is happy to once again be able provide a full-service concierge in the reception! The coffee bar is open, as is the game room. And did you know?! The small game table has 1064 vintage games on it! Bring it on Mrs. Pac-Man or Galaga! And the ActiveTV is like a 4-person iPad/Promethean Board with tons of activities and games – some of which are quite educational. Woo Hoo! Rest assured the surfaces will be continue to thoroughly cleaned, and we do ask that everyone use the hand sanitizer and practice good hygiene habits – which is always a kind idea!
• The Covid consent form is gone! Of course, we want to keep your treatment progressing on time, but please do not come and share your special love if you have a cold or are sick. I assure you we will get you back in ASAP if you need to reschedule due to an illness. We do not want to put our team or other patients at risk. 😊
• Families are welcome to join their loved ones in the reception and in the clinic again! I am SO glad to have parents and caregivers back in the clinic! Of course, if you feel more comfortable staying in your car, that is welcomed as well. We are happy to continue to provide a beeper service for those wishing to remain in your car until we are ready to see you in the clinic – just let Andrea know when you arrive! If requested, we can also FaceTime parents/caregivers from the chair as we have in the past.
• The tooth brushing stations are all open! Thank heavens! Seriously though… Oral hygiene has been at an all-time low. Please, Please, Please take care of the teeth around the braces! Prevention is key! Clean teeth allow for a much more beautiful/handsome smile in the end, no doubt. For those of you who were not with us pre-Covid, there are two sinks just past the game room and four sinks in the clinic available for toothbrushing prior to your visit. It is always a great idea to arrive a few minutes early and brush prior to your appointment. All the brushes are pre-pasted with toothpaste and are disposable.
• The ice cream cooler will be available soon! We are working on some fun ideas there… stay tuned.

OK – That’s it for now! Stay tuned for more excitement soon. I CANNOT WAIT to share it!! Thank you as always for your love and support. We are thrilled to change lives, one smile at a time!