Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 17 Join us for the live conversation on Stay tuned to the Fredericksburg Parent Facebook page and YouTube channel for a video interview featuring Dr. Diana Almy of Fredericksburg Orthodontics and Invisalign ® Center. Facebook: @fredericksburgparent • Twitter: @FredParent • Instagram: @fredparentmagazine a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: How were you able to serve patients during the shutdown? Faced with the challenge of providing continuity of care for current patients and getting new patients started on orthodontic treatment during the COVID-19 crisis, Fredericksburg Orthodontics and Invisalign ® Center devel- oped an effective strategy to meet the orthodontic needs of the community. Dr. Almy and her team leveraged technology to implement Virtual Smile Consultations for new patients and Virtual Smile Check-ins to keep in communication with current patients during the closure and to give patients inter- ested in treatment an opportunity to be evaluated. Q: How were you able to keep Invisalign ® patients on track? The Invisalign system straightens teeth using a custom-made series of clear aligners created specifically for each individual patient. To progress through the treatment, patients need to continue to pick up new trays of aligners. During the pandemic, Dr. Almy created a new system for patients to receive their aligner trays in a safe, quick, coordinated manner that lim- ited exposure to others. This allowed Invisalign ® patients to stay on-track with treatment. It was so well-received by patients and their families that Fredericksburg Orthodontics and Invisalign ® Center plans to continue its use. Q: What does patient care look like in the current phase of Virginia's reopening? Currently, Fredericksburg Orthodontics and Invisalign ® Center is thrilled to be open and seeing patients in person in the safest and healthiest way possible. Dr. Almy and her team go above and beyond current guidelines for patient care. All non-patients are asked to wait in the vehicle during the patient's appointment. Team members communicate with the patient or parent via text messages to let the patient know when it is time to come in for the appointment. The text message will include a wellness form that is to be filled out prior to entering the office. Temperatures are taken and hand sanitizer is pro- vided as patients enter and exit for their appoint- ments. If patients have any symptoms of illness, Fredericksburg Orthodontics and Invisalign ® Center kindly requests that the appointment be rescheduled for a later time. Dr. Almy and the team at Fredericksburg Orthodontics and Invisalign ® Center are dedicated to providing the highest quality of orthodontic care in a safe and healthy environment for their patients. It has been a privilege to be able to pro- vide virtual orthodontic appointments and new smile assessments in this ever-changing health cri- sis and the entire team looks forward to continu- ing to serve patients with enhanced health and safety protocols. Patients can learn more and request a free consultation at fredericksburgorthodontics.com. Call or text 540-898-7211 with questions or to schedule a consultation. Sponsored Material 540-898-7211 MS Orthodontist voting u s THODONT I S T Q: How do virtual consultations work? Fredericksburg Orthodontics and Invisalign ® Center produced a "How-To" video explaining the necessary images needed to make an accurate smile assessment and posted it online for patients to review. Through the images patients sent from their phones, Dr. Almy was able to keep patients' orthodontic treatment on track. For new patients, a step-by-step instruction guide was created to guide them through the Virtual Smile Assessment and consultation process. New and existing patients can find all of these resources at Fredericksburgorthodontics.com. Dr. Diana Almy

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