With the anticipated reopening of my dental practice in the beginning of June, we are asking all patients to adhere to the protocols that have been put in place. The sign says it all...if you are safe we are safe. ...I have upgraded my office in multiple ways to reduce transmission of any virus or contagion. My goal is to keep me and my employees safe and in doing so, create an environment where you are safe. So please do the following when coming to an appointment...1) you are required to have a mask on when entering my office. If you do not then I will ask you to leave and call to reschedule. 2) only the patient is allowed to be in my office. If someone brings you to an appointment they can walk you in and are required to wear a mask. They can not wait in the waiting area with you. They can wait outside my building. 3) I am providing disinfecting wipes to use on the door handle when entering or leaving the building. 4) All patients will have their temperature taken and fill out a COVID19 screening form. If your temperature is 100F you will be rescheduled. 5) Please be understanding that we will be overwhelmed initially with patients. We have 3 months of patients to reschedule and a list of emergencies to schedule. We will do our best to accommodate all while adhering to the new infectious disease protocols.
We look forward to seeing you all again. Please stay healthy
This is the air filtration unit that can filter out 0.3 micron particles in the air. It has super HEPA and carbon filtration to remove all types of particulate matter in the air. I have installed 3 units in my office. Also we will be using a microfogger unit to dispense Hypochlorous acid (non toxic to humans but deadly to virus particles floating in the air) throughout the office on an hourly basis to reduce ant chance of exposure to virus particles that maybe present. Our philosophy is if we are working in a safe environment then it is safe for our patients. These are just 2 of the many protocols we have instituted to have a safe environment for us and our patients.
Leading the News
ADA Recommends Dentists Nationwide Postpone Elective Procedures
The ADA News (3/16, Burger) reports that in response to the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, the American Dental Association recommends that dentists across the country postpone elective procedures. “The American Dental Association recognizes the unprecedented and extraordinary circumstances dentists and all health care professionals face related to growing concern about COVID-19,” according to the March 16 statement from ADA President Chad P. Gehani. “The ADA is deeply concerned for the health and well-being of the public and the dental team. In order for dentistry to do its part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the ADA recommends dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures for the next three weeks. Concentrating on emergency dental care will allow us to care for our emergency patients and alleviate the burden that dental emergencies would place on hospital emergency departments.”
Similarly, the California Dental Association (3/16) states, “The California Dental Association strongly recommends that dentists practicing in California voluntarily suspend non-urgent or non-emergency dental care.”
The Chicago Tribune (3/16, Schencker) reports that the Illinois State Dental Society is “urging Illinois dentists to treat only patients who need emergency procedures.” Dr. Alice Boghosian, president-elect of the society, said, “It’s not something that anyone wants to hear about their business, but...it is our moral obligation and duty to try everything in our power not to spread this disease.”
The Hampton Roads (VA) Virginian-Pilot (3/16, Martin) reports, “The Virginia Dental Association recommended Sunday night that dentists cancel non-emergency visits starting Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic.”
To all my patients, information pertaining to dental practice in NYS during the COVID-19 outbreak. the following is from the American Dental Association, NYS Dental Society board of Governors, and NYS Department of health. I will be following their recommendation.
Special Communication regarding COVID-19
Board of Trustees
New York State Dental Association
March 16, 2020
Dear NYSDA Members,
Your dental association has been closely monitoring every development with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). NYSDA has been reviewing all the guidance and materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the daily briefings from the Governor of the State of New York, and the activities of other state dental associations and the American Dental Association (ADA). NYSDA has created its own Web page on COVID-19 and the NYSDA blog has carried daily information on what all the government sources noted above have been recommending and doing.
The COVID-19 situation in New York is one of the most serious in the nation so far. As the facts and situation around COVID-19 continue to evolve, and they do change on an almost daily basis, in step with Governor Cuomo’s recent Declaration of a State of Emergency, your NYSDA Board of Trustees is issuing the following guidance for dentists in New York. The Board notes that this guidance is not a mandate and cannot compel any dental office to take action, but is intended to help dental offices make sensible and safe decisions for the benefits of the public. .
At this time, it is recommended that dental offices provide only emergency dental care for patients. Elective and non-emergent services should be postponed for a minimum of three weeks. That policy shall be revisited at that time to accomodate further developments regarding COVID-19 and further actions/recommendations from government agencies.
This is not guidance we are issuing lightly, and it is being done out of an abundance of caution during these turbulent times. As healthcare professionals, we all have a role to play in slowing the spread of the coronavirus and “flattening the curve” in order to follow sound scientific, public health advice, to help limit infections and slow the spread of the virus.
The spread of COVID-19 will be determined by our collective actions now. We believe by taking these extraordinary precautions, dentists can make a difference in helping to preserve the limited supply of personal protection equipment critical for emergency dental care and frontline healthcare personnel responding to the pandemic.
NYSDA will be providing ongoing daily guidance through www.nysdental.org/covid19 and highly recommends that all dentists check on a daily basis the updated recommendations of the New York State Department of Health at: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/providers.htm.
Sincerely yours,
Board of Trustees
New York State Dental Association
HEALTH.NY.GOV
Novel Coronavirus Information for Providers
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Be safe out there today! We're in the office and enjoying the snowy day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=FmZCQfeWjeQ
YOUTUBE.COM
The Snowy Day Read-aloud, an animated story
