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Hello Patients,

It is with mixed emotions that I write this email. The decision on when we should re-open has been very difficult given all of the requirements needed to begin care. Some of us also have the added complication of childcare providers not ready to accept our children just quite yet. As your dental healthcare provider, these facts are mixed with knowing there are many of you in need of dental care and patiently waiting to have those needs met.

As you know, Governor Reynolds lifted the mandate preventing non-emergent dental care, effective May 8, 2020. However, this did not mean we could open our doors for business as usual. There are requirements placed within the new proclamation that we must meet before we are able to see patients. The first is compliance with the new Iowa Dental Board guidelines. These detailed guidelines were just released on Wednesday, May 5, 2020. I am working hard to incorporate all of these new precautions and measures into our daily protocols. Second, we must have adequate Personal Protective Equipment and a reliable supply chain as we can not rely on the state to supply this for us. I have been working diligently to acquire PPE, but have not yet received what would be required to open the practice. The expectation from suppliers is that this will start to loosen within the next couple of weeks and start shipping out. At this time, no one knows for sure what this date will be.

Safety is of the utmost importance to us. While we have always followed strict infection control procedures, there are additional guidelines to be put in place to maintain social distancing and sanitation. In order to ensure the safety of our patients and team, the transition to re-open must be very methodical. For this reason, we will not be open for patient care until June 1, 2020. We will use the week after Memorial Day to train and practice the new protocols and also to evaluate and work on the schedule.

Priority will be given to urgent and emergency care appointments as we start to slowly re-open and build the schedule. Please be aware that pre-scheduled hygiene appointments might be changed. Appointment availability will differ from our regular schedule, so please be patient with us as we navigate this new normal. Also, let us know if you have any appointment that you are not comfortable keeping at this time. We understand and will work with you to find a more suitable time for you. There will be no repercussions if you aren’t comfortable returning yet.

I want to, again, thank you all for being patient during all of this. Please continue to show us some grace as we figure all of this out. We want to be able to serve you both efficiently and safely.

I am available for dental emergencies that cannot wait until we re-open and can be reached at 402-1640.

Thank you again for understanding. I know this is and has been very difficult. I promise we will be seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amanda Foust

If you would like to join our patient waitlist for when we re-open please fill out the following form:
Patient Wait List

Month: May 2012

Are Metal Fillings Safe?

Posted May 24, 2012 by Dr. Foust

Are you tired of looking at your old silver fillings in the mirror? If so, replacing them is as easy as a simple trip to your Ankeny dentist, Dr. Foust, who offers natural, tooth-colored alternatives to old metal fillings. Furthermore, she can help you understand how those old fillings might actually be doing more harm… Read more »

Toothbrush Trivia from Your Ankeny Dentist

Posted May 17, 2012 by Dr. Foust

A toothbrush is a seemingly simple little tool that we use every day (or at least, we should be using it every day!). Do you ever stop and think about where it came from? The drugstore from which you probably bought it obviously didn’t invent it. So who did? Test your knowledge with Dr. Amanda… Read more »

Teeth Whitening in Ankeny Makes a Great Mother’s Day Gift

Posted May 10, 2012 by Dr. Foust

Show Mom You Care About Her Smile This Mother’s Day Whether you realize it or not, your mother’s smile has probably meant a lot to you over the years. After all, her smile was most likely one of the first images ever in your brain. Maybe her smile encouraged you when you needed support or… Read more »

Protecting Your Tooth Enamel with Tips from Dr. Foust

Posted May 3, 2012 by Dr. Foust

What Causes of Tooth Sensitivity and Toothache? Do you avoid eating ice cream because your teeth are too sensitive to cold? Does it seem like you need a filling every time you see the dentist? Since your smile relies on enamel to protect the sensitive pulp, tooth sensitivity and a prevalence of cavities are often… Read more »