We have received many questions about the coronovirus and our practice. I wanted to let you know that we are taking aggressive, thorough, and comprehensive measures to keep our office COVID-19 free. In addition to the standard hygiene protocols established by the CDC, American Dental Association and OSHA, which even in normal times we follow and adhere to with vigilance, we are also screening our patients for travel and flu like symptoms while cleaning throughout the day all of our public spaces -- bathrooms, reception, front desk, door handles, etc.
As you know, our professional staff always wear masks, gloves, and protective coats when interacting with our patients and all our equipment is sterilized. All exam rooms are thoroughly cleaned between each patient visit. Nothing is more important than our patient's health and dental health and we will do everything in our power to make our office an ultra-low risk environment.
If you currently feel sick, please reschedule your dental appointment and call your physician. This is especially true if you have a fever, cough, sneezing, or shortness of breath. The same thing applies if you have had any of these symptoms in the last 48 hours.
Please also reschedule your appointment if, in the past two weeks, you have either been in close contact with someone who is infected with COVID-19, or have returned to the United States from an area affected by the coronavirus disease. Right now this list includes China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. However, the list of countries continues to change, so it’s a good idea to check this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for updates on the affected countries.
If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to call us.
For many years the profile of an at-risk patient for oral cancer was a male smoker over the age of 40. But now, their is a group of individuals who’s cancer rate is increasing faster than the old model and it has everyone concerned. Oral and head and neck cancer is increasing in men and women in their 20’s and 30’s. The cause is HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that infects about 40 million Americans. Epithelial cells in the oral cavity are identical to those in the cervix. Women with a positive annual PAP can be screened for this factor correlating their risk with oral cancer. Additionally, their sexual partners should be screened. It is also know that alcohol and tobacco actually promote the invasion of HPV into the oral tissues.
Early detection is the key. It increases the survival rate dramatically. Our protocol is that upon every re-care appointment we complete a visual and tactile exam. Once a year we recommend an adjunct exam with our Velscope. (more to come on this, but if you can’t wait please visit http://www.velscope.com/default.aspx?id=0&cat=patients)
TEXT OUR OFFICE
HOW IT WORKS
Enter your Name.
Enter your Cell Phone Number, area code first
Enter your text message in the box.
Click "Send Text"
A copy of this text will be sent to the office and to your cell phone. The office's reply will also be sent to your cell phone where you can continue the text conversation.
Note: Mobile message and data rates from your cell phone carrier may apply.
