At Dermatology Center of Denton, Dr Harrington, Dr Nezafati, and Dr Maher continue to update our policies regarding COVID-19 based on the latest information available. At this time, we are remaining open and are seeing patients in-person; however, we strongly urge you to follow the CDC’s guidelines when it comes to travel, illness, and “social distancing”. Furthermore, we kindly ask you to reschedule your appointment for the safety of our patients and staff if you have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive person, and/or have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any other symptoms. 

To safely remain available to our patients, we have launched telemedicine services that will be available during the COVID-19 national emergency for ALL patients who feel that their dermatologic issue can be addressed via video conferencing rather than coming into the office for an in-person appointment. We will use doximity as the platform for these appointments. Patients will schedule their virtual appointment by calling our office and speaking to our staff as usual, just let us know when you call that you are interested in this virtual option. This is a HIPAA-compliant video doctor’s visit that uses your health insurance as if it was a face-to-face exam. Thus, your office copay will be taken at the beginning of the visit and the visit itself will be submitted to your health insurance company exactly as if you were physically in our office. Any services not reimbursed or covered by your health plan are the patient’s responsibility just like in-person visits. Examples of types of virtual appointments that can be accommodated include, but are not limited to: routine follow ups, medication refills, evaluation of a spot of concern, a new rash, or a flare of chronic skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, etc. If your dermatologic issue requires a procedure such as a skin biopsy, medication injection, drainage of an abscess etc, then a face-to-face appointment is necessary and we will gladly see you in the office if you have no risk factors for COVID-19. Please note that full body skin exams are not compatible with virtual visits. If you want to have a routine skin exam and have no specific spot of concern, please call our office and we will schedule your routine skin exam with the dermatologist of your choice at your convenience (subject to change as the pandemic situation is changing rapidly and your safety is our top priority).

If you are already scheduled for a routine skin check, but you have a specific spot of concern, please call our office. Our staff will gladly schedule your routine skin check, but can also schedule you for a remote video conference visit to address your specific spot of concern immediately from the comfort and safety of your own home, whenever possible. If you are interested in this video conference option, but have never done something like this before, don’t worry! Our staff is happy to walk you through the process and address any concerns you might have as we work to connect you remotely with your doctor. It is simple and fast to connect you, and our staff will help you completely throughout each step. Most patients who have tried it so far, love it! We will send you a text message and all you have to do is click on the link and you will be connected directly to Dr Harrington, Dr Nezafati, or Dr Maher. 

We understand that these are uncertain and challenging times for all, but please trust that your care, health, and safety remain our top priority. We appreciate your cooperation. Stay well, our dear patients and friends.

Sincerely,

Dr Cynthia Harrington, Dr Kaveh Nezafati, and Dr Skyler Maher

1. First and foremost, if you have a fever, cough, or feel sick, please kindly do not enter our office and instead, please reschedule your appointment and call your family doctor
2. If you have traveled to a high-risk area (domestic or international) please reschedule your appointment for at least 2 weeks out. It is also recommended by health officials that you self-quarantine.
3. We DO recommend that you keep your appointments for skin cancer surgery, open sores, rashes that are symptomatic, spreading, or infected, or for medicines that are being monitored (Accutane, biologics, methotrexate). These medical issues will worsen if left untreated and hospitals do not want you to end up in the ER for these skin conditions.
4. We may be calling patients that we deem appropriate to schedule for virtual telehealth appointments instead of in-person visits. Most insurance companies are temporarily covering these virtual online visits during the National Emergency.
5. For everyone’s health and safety, we are taking steps to try to reduce the number of people in the waiting room and have adopted the following updated office policies until further notice. If possible, please do not bring guests to your appointment. Please have them safely and comfortably wait outside of the building, preferably in a vehicle in the parking lot. You may also remain in your car if you choose after you check in and we will call you when your treatment room is ready, and a team member will take you straight back to your room.
6. Hand sanitizers will be available in all high-touch areas including the waiting room. We have removed all high-touch items such as magazines.
7. We are taking extended measures to disinfect all non-clinical areas, pens, iPads, doorknobs, etc
8. The door from the waiting room into our office will remain open so that handles will not have to be touched
9. All surfaces in the exam room will be cleaned in between patients
10. TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD RULE: all patients MUST wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth in order to be seen in any medical office in Texas. Please wear a mask to your appointment with us (the mask must NOT have any vents or valves) and we apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you feel strongly that you cannot wear a mask for the entire duration of your in-person appointment with us, please call our office to arrange a remote televisit. Stay safe!