News From Our Willoughby, Ohio Cosmetic Dental Practice

COVID-19 Alert
 
Gov. DeWine recommends COVID-19 actions for dental offices
 
Governor Mike DeWine contacted the Ohio Dental Association and Ohio State Dental Board and asked for our help in addressing the spread of COVID-19.
 
These recommendations to the dental profession are intended to reduce the risk of patients' exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus) to preserve Personal Protective Equipment and supplies, while still allowing access to necessary and emergency dental services that will maintain the oral health of the citizens of Ohio and keep them out of hospital Emergency Rooms.
 
Governor DeWine has requested the following: 
 
A review of inventories and identification of any surplus personal protective equipment and supplies. Once identified, contact your local Emergency Management Agency about sharing these goods with local hospitals and medical clinics for COVID-19 patients and clinicians. EMA contact list can be found here: https://webeoctraining.dps.ohio.gov/ohiocountyEMADirectorList/countyemalist_web.aspx
 
Please reschedule elective procedures including but not limited to: 
 
  • Any cosmetic or aesthetic procedures, such as veneers, teeth bleaching, or cosmetic bonding
  • All routine hygiene appointments
  • Any orthodontic procedures not including those that relieve pain and infection or restore oral function or are trauma-related
  • Initiation of any crowns, bridges, or dentures that do not address or prevent pain or restore normal oral functioning
  • Any periodontal plastic surgery
  • Extraction of asymptomatic non-carious teeth
  • Recall visits for periodontally healthy patients
  • Delay all appointments for high risk patients, including ASA 2 and 3 patients, unless it is an emergency
 
By sharing supplies we are directly supporting our fellow clinicians as they undertake the greatest viral threat in modern history. By rescheduling elective procedures we are doing our part to prevent community spread.
 
We urge you to undertake the two above strategies and consider the following additional measures: 
 
  • Use cell phone triage - use the cell phone to take a picture of the area and text to the dentist
  • Have a detailed questionnaire/conversation before scheduling appointments and prior to any procedure about flu like symptoms, travel abroad for self and family/friends/co-workers etc. to permit a thorough evaluation of the patient
  •  Consider taking the temperature of the patient at the outset
  • Reconsider scheduling high risk patients unless they need emergency treatment
  • Careful evaluation of the need for scheduling of ASA 2 & 3 patients
  • Use of 1% hydrogen peroxide rinse prior to examination of the oral cavity by the patient to reduce microbial load
  • Use of rubber dam isolation & high volume suction to limit aerosol in treatment procedures
  • Proper disinfection protocol between patients with a possible repeat of the protocol for a 2nd time.
 
To prevent over-crowding of waiting areas or the possible spread of infection:

  • Consider having patients wait in their cars instead of the waiting areas to prevent inadvertent spread of the virus (call patient when surgical area is ready for treatment)
  • Consider staggering appointment times to reduce waiting room exposure
  • Consider rescheduling elective procedures on ASA 2 & 3 patients (https://www.asahq.org/standards-and-guidelines/asa-physical-status-classification-system)
  • Have front desk staff take measures to prevent exposure
  • Have sterilization staff, lab technicians and auxiliary staff take adequate measures to prevent exposure
  • Limit access to waiting room use to only patients. Accompanying individuals have to wait in their respective transportation.
  • Remove all magazines/toys etc from waiting area to prevent contamination.
 
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these difficult times. We will continue to provide resources and updates for dental offices as they become available.

March 16, 2020

 

Check out our new website!
December 06, 2011
We are pleased to introduce you to our brand new website. Here you can find information about our office including the procedures we offer, a smile gallery, an office tour and more. In addition, we'll be using this page to keep you posted on the latest news from our office. Have a look around, and let us know if you have any suggestions. Enjoy!