Covid-19 Travel Information Update

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The most recent update from the PA Department of Health has developed guidelines for traveling to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases. As we continue to monitor and plan for patient and staff safety, we will be verifying with patients regarding their recent travel. 

COVID-19 Information for Travelers

If you have traveled, or plan to travel, to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases, it is recommended that you stay at home for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.

If you travel to the following states, you will need to quarantine for 14 days upon return:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah

For more information, visit https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx.

 

Latest Update 6/8/20

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For the past 12 weeks, we have been following all recommendations set forth by governing agencies and public health experts by reducing our office hours, treating only emergency-based dental needs and postponing all non-essential dental care. This process has been an adjustment for all of our doctors, staff and especially our patients. We thank you for your continued support and patience during these uncertain times. Despite the obstacles, we have remained diligent in our philosophy of caring for you and your families to the best of our abilities.

We are happy to report that since the PA Department of Health and CDC have allowed us to perform regular dentistry, we are able to take care of our patients again! As you can imagine, we have an overwhelming number of appointments that need to be rescheduled due to the closure.

So, what does this mean for you?

If you had a routine cleaning previously scheduled during our closure, we will be in touch with you first to reschedule those appointments as soon as possible. If you have an upcoming re-care appointment already scheduled with one of our hygienists, we will contact you to let you know if we are able to keep the time or if we need to reschedule the appointment.

If you are someone that previously had dental treatment scheduled (including fillings, crown and bridge work, implants, etc.), those patients will also be contacted to reschedule appointments accordingly. Similarly, orthodontic patients will be notified to begin rescheduling their treatments. If you have any questions on your treatment, please contact our office.

As always, our top priority is to keep our patients and team members safe. We have instituted several new policies which include staggering appointments allowing for appropriate social distancing, parking lot check in, taking of patient and employee temperatures, and no contact check out. We also ask that anyone who enters our office wear a mask. We have also updated our safety measures and taken every precaution in our office to maintain a safe and efficient dental experience.

New Check-in/Check-out Process

·     Parking lot check in to minimize patients in waiting room. Call the office upon arrival and we will let you know when we are ready for you to come in.

·     Upon entry, patients should wear a face mask and will have their temperature recorded.

·     Paperless updates for any personal and insurance changes. New Patient form on our website can be faxed or e-mailed to our office before appointment.

·     Limited contact at check out. Expanded payment options now include: ApplePay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Tap to Pay, as well as all other credit cards, HSA, FSA, and Care Credit.

·     All high-touch areas are sanitized between patients.

PPE and Safety Measures Update 

·     All front desk staff are wearing masks. Clear plexiglass shields have been installed as well as distancing markers placed at the front desk area.

·     Clinical team members are equipped with additional PPE according to current guidelines, gloves and head coverings

·     Molekule air filtration units have been installed in every operatory as well as throughout the office. Molekule’s proprietary technology, Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO), works at the molecular level to destroy pollutants, including viruses. PECO is able to destroy pollutants 1000 times smaller than the standard filters must meet to qualify as HEPA.

Orthodontic Update for Our Patients

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Orthodontics DentistryWe wanted to reach out to all of our orthodontic patients, in the hopes of shedding some light surrounding COVID-19 and our response to the latest recommendations from the Center of Disease Control as well as the Governor of Pennsylvania. At this time, we are continuing to suspend all routine (non-emergency) orthodontic dental care for the month of April. We will continue to evaluate the upcoming months as guidelines and recommendations are given.

If you or your child is in active orthodontic treatment, we realize that you may have some questions or concerns regarding how postponing routine appointments may impact treatment. We want to reassure you that missing an appointment or two will not have long term effects on the outcome of your case. It is possible that it may delay treatment time slightly, however since orthodontic treatment is individually based, this may not be the case for everyone.

If your child has an appliance that you manually adjust, please give our office a call so that we can let you know how to proceed.

Until we are able to see you for the next routine orthodontic appointment, please continue with the recommendations given at your last appointment. If you run out of rubber bands (elastics), please call the office so that we can mail them to you.

We ask that you practice the best oral care possible. Remember to brush for a full 2 minutes at minimum twice each day. Swirl the brush around your brackets or appliances and remember to brush your tongue gently. We recommend that you continue to floss each day and if you have not been flossing, now is a great time to begin the daily flossing habit!

Please be assured that our team is here to help. If you have an urgent need during this time, such as pain or injury, we will be available on an emergency basis only on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Fridays in our Souderton Office only. If you have a question or concern, please call our Souderton Office at 215-723-2162 so that we can work together to resolve the specific situation.

As soon as we are approved to reopen fully, our team will reach out to reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. Thank you for your patients and understanding during this time or mandatory postponement. We look forward to seeing you back in our offices soon!

Hoping you and your families stay safe and well!

Doctors & Team of Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental

Coronavirus Update 3/17/20

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To Our Valued Patients,

Like you, we have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. We have done our best to navigate through the guidelines set forth by our governing agencies and public heath experts.

We have been delicately trying to balance our commitment to serve our patient’s dental needs while also trying to understand our social responsibility to public health and safety. After careful consideration, we have decided to limit our practice to emergency based dental care for the next 3 weeks and have reduced our office hours. Our actions are in an effort to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19 in hopes to protect our patients, our WRR team and our community to exposure.

For the next 3 weeks we will need to postpone all hygiene and non-essential dental appointments.  Our team will be contacting you in the coming weeks to re-schedule your appointments.

We are following all CDC guidelines and as an added precaution have installed PECO air purifiers with the most current technology to both offices.  If you are experiencing a dental need that requires immediate attention, please contact our office.

In order to allow us to continue to treat our patients we ask that you let us know if any of the following apply:

·         You or anyone in your household  feels sick; fever, cough, shortness of breath or flu like symptoms

·         You or anyone in your household has traveled by airplane in the last two weeks

·         You or anyone in your household has been in contact with a person who has tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

·         You have a weakened immune system or underlying health conditions

We will continue to take things day by day, focused on making the best choices for everyone’s well being. When we all get to the other side of this situation, we anticipate being available and accommodating to minimize the impact this will have on your dental care.

Stay Well, Stay Safe, Stay Positive

Coronavirus Safety Measures – Update 3/12/20

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Update 03/12/2020 – Our Office Remains Open! 

Our top priority at Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental is the safety of our patients and staff members due to recent public health concerns involving the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We will be establishing screening measures and increased infection prevention protocols. We want to reassure our patients that in addition to our already excellent sterilization standards, our offices have increased the frequency in which we will sanitize high touch areas (counter tops, door handles, etc.).

In order to allow us to continue to treat our patients we ask that you call to reschedule your appointment if any of the following apply to you:

  • You feel sick – Especially if you have fever, cough, shortness of breath or flu like symptoms
  • You or anyone in your household has traveled to a high-risk country or area in the last two weeks
  • You or anyone in your household has been in contact with a person who has tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • You have a weakened immune system or underlying health conditions

As a safety measure to our patients and staff, we are unable to treat patients who present with any of these symptoms and we require a two-week waiting period for an appointment.

If you have any questions or need to reschedule your appointment, please call us at 215-723-2162 or 215-723-1109.

We will continue to monitor the CDC guidelines and make changes as needed.

Our number one consideration is to keep everyone safe and healthy while we continue to care for your dental needs. Thank you for working together with us!

Coronavirus Safety Measures

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To our Valued Patients,

While we know our dental offices are safe for our patients and staff, the ongoing news about the virus has made people nervous.  We want to reassure you that our infection control protocols and the Standard Precautions we already take are an excellent deterrent to any virus, including COVID-19.   In addition to our regular sterilization procedures, we will be cleaning counters, door handles and other high touch areas multiple times throughout the day. Please know we are following the CDC guidelines,  monitoring their website regularly and will make changes as needed.

To protect the wellbeing of our patients and staff we kindly ask:

  • Anyone who has been experiencing fever or flu like symptoms, please reschedule your appointment
  • If you have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus, we would ask for your cooperation by delaying your appointment for 2 weeks.
  • Please wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.
  • Refrain from touching your face, nose & mouth as much as possible.
  • Please use your best judgement if you are medically compromised or in an at risk group.

Our number one consideration is to keep everyone safe and healthy while we continue to care for your dental needs.  Thank you for working together with us!

If you would like more information regarding the coronavirus, please visit:  cdc.gov

School Visits, Coloring Contest and Kids Activities to Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month

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In recognition of Children’s Dental Health Month, which takes place nationally every February, hygienists from Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart visited schools in the area to demonstrate proper brushing techniques and promote dental health. Catherine, one of our hygienists is pictured here with students from Grandview Health Children’s Center. According to a representative from the GVH Children’s Center, “They loved the presentation and talked about it all day long! They were very excited to have their goody bags as well!” For the past 12 years, WRR has been participating in this program with local schools to support their mission of educating the community on dental health issues and sharing their resources with those who need them.

Additionally, both of our Harleysville and Souderton offices held a coloring contest for our youngest patients. Interactive posters and displays were set up in the waiting rooms to show children the benefits of eating healthy to maintain a healthy smile.

 

WRR Partners with The Bean Bag Food Program in December

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This holiday season, WRR is pleased to announce a partnership with The Bean Bag Food Program. This program provides the basic nutrition that children need to focus and be successful in school. One in four students in the Souderton Area School District are faced with food insecurity. During school days, children receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch. On weekends and holiday breaks, food may be scarce or even non -existent. The Bean Bag Food Program strives to provide continuous nutrition by providing identified students with weekend packs filled with breakfast, lunch and snack items. Currently, 200 students in the Souderton Area Elementary Schools and Indian Crest Middle School receive weekend packs. Throughout the month of December, we will be collecting donations in both the Souderton and Harleysville offices.  The food collection list for this year includes: Kraft Macaroni n Cheese Original Dinners, 2.05 oz cups; Nature Valley Protein Bars, Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate; Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets – any flavor; Carnation Breakfast Essentials High Protein, Rich Milk Chocolate; Applesauce – Unsweetened, 24 oz plastic jar; Orville Light Butter Microwave Popcorn (other brands can be substituted but must be light butter); Materne 2 % Milk or Parmalat 2% Milk, one quart, non-refrigerated; Peanut Butter – Creamy, 18 oz plastic jar; Fruit Cups 4 oz cups; Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Cheddar Crackers or Pretzels, 6.6 oz bag.

All financial contributions made to the Bean Bag Food Program go towards the purchase of food for the children. A gift of $400 will ensure one child has a good meal seven days a week for the entire school year. Checks may be sent to: Zion Mennonite Church 149 Cherry Lane Souderton Pa 18964 memo: BBFP. For additional information, visit https://zionmennonite.org/.

WRR STAFF GIVES BACK WITH THANKSGIVING BASKET DONATIONS

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Weaver, Reckner and Reinhart Dental Associates staff members packed up 17 bags of Thanksgiving dinner trimmings and other essential items for families in our community. Each year, the office comes together to create beautiful Thanksgiving baskets which are delivered to the Keystone Opportunity Center. The Center serves families every month and always welcomes new donations and volunteers. If you would like more information on how you can help this holiday season, visit their website at www.keystoneopportunity.org.

WRR HOLDS PINKOUT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

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WRR doctors and staff dressed in pink for our first annual PINKOUT to help spread Breast Cancer Awareness. Wearing everything from pink scrubs and gloves to pink protective masks and even pink hair, our team was determined to come together and show support for all of those, including some of our own staff, who have suffered or are suffering from breast cancer. During the entire month of October, staff members wore pink ribbons in an effort to spread the word and help make a difference!