CORRECTION: In its first press release, below, Open Door stated that it is the only dental provider still operating in the county. This is false.

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The Open Door clinic in Arcata is suspending all non-emergency dental services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting new policies to help stop the spread of the virus and issued a number of tips to help “flatten the curve.”

Here are three press releases detailing their new changes and tips:

ARCATA, CA – Due to changes in best practices for health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic Open Door is deferring routine appointment types and preventative dental services. These necessary protective measures require in a temporary reduction in our dental workforce. 

Our health centers remain open for essential dental services. We ask our community to please contact us if they are in need emergency services that cannot be put off. We recognize that we are the only dental providers still operating. Open Door’s decision to temporarily reduce our dental workforce is based on current guidance, staffing and service needs, and staff risk factors. 

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, medical clinic staff in high risk groups will work from home. We continue to develop infrastructure for staff to work from home, and for remote patient care. Our medical clinics are still operational and adapting to meet our community needs.

Open Door Leadership is providing compensation, benefits, and other support as possible to affected staff. 

As staffing needs and factors affecting Open Door change we will call staff back to work. This reduction in workforce is based solely on best practices to protect staff and community, and does not reflect upon the good work or value Open Door places on each staff person. This necessary reduction is solely due to the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Press release two:

ARCATA, CA – Open Door Community Health Centers is committed to providing patients with essential health services during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Care teams are evaluating all appointments to determine which should be kept as scheduled and which need to be rescheduled to a future date.

The “shelter in place” order for Humboldt County and Governor Newsom’s order for the state of California, make exemption for health care, including health care workers and patients accessing care. However, Open Door is also developing stringent guidelines to mitigate spread of the disease. 

Effective immediately, dental services are limited to emergency only. Dental hygiene or non-urgent care appointments are canceled and will be rescheduled as circumstances allow. School-based dental services are postponed until schools reopen.

We ask Open Door patients to do the following:

  • If you are sick, please contact your health center before you come in 

  • Expect to be greeted by a staff person, at your health center’s front door, to have your temperature taken, before being directed into the health center 

  • Please call ahead before you come in for a lab only appointment 

  • If you have an urgent dental need (pain, infection, swelling, or broken teeth), please call your dental center for an appointment

  • Sign up to MyChart—our online patient portal—to communicate online with your care team

Unless a companion is essential to your care, do not bring a companion along to appointments; please call your health center in advance to discuss your needs.

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Press release three:

ARCATA, CA – The current COVID-19 pandemic is a unique and rapidly changing event for our country and the world. We acknowledge the necessity for clear, transparent, and frequent communication. 

Open Door is following guidance from federal, state, and local public health officials. While it is vital that our health centers remain open, as we face COVID-19, we continue to evaluate the situation and work to minimize risk to staff, patients, and the community. 

The “shelter in place” order for Humboldt County and Governor Newsom’s order for the state of California, make exemption for health care, including health care workers and patients accessing care. However, Open Door is also developing stringent guidelines to mitigate spread of the disease. 

Open Door’s strategy includes:

  • Working with local partners to align efforts and increase our community capacity for screening.
  • Monitoring clinical guidance as it develops to keep staff and operations up to date. 
  • Limiting numbers of people in the health center by developing infrastructure for staff to work from home, and for remote patient care when possible, rescheduling or canceling group visits, and asking patients not to bring companions to their appointments.

If individuals follow the strategy of “social distancing,” before there are many local cases, we can greatly reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our community. 

Please help Open Door help the community. In order to “flatten the curve”:

  • Avoid non-essential social contact with other people and do not travel.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water regularly and thoroughly.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you cannot use soap.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Do your best to eat healthy, stay active, and get adequate rest.
  • Recognize that medical appointments for routine, non-urgent care will need to be rescheduled.

Open Door has served the North Coast for almost 50 year. We will continue this tradition and together we will make it through these difficult times. 

For further information, please contact: Tory Starr Chief Executive Officer (707) 826-8633 tstarr@opendoorhealth.com 

Stacy Watkins Chief Administrative Officer (707) 826-8633  swatkins@opendoorhealth.com