To our patients, families, and friends,
You may have seen the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent recommendation to delay “routine” dental care in certain situations due to COVID-19. The American Dental Association respectfully yet strongly disagrees.
BBD Team in PPE Equipment
“Millions of patients have safely visited their dentists in the past few months for the full range of dental services. With appropriate PPE, dental care should continue to be delivered during global pandemics or other disaster situations. Oral health is integral to overall health. Dentistry is essential health care. Dentistry is essential health care because of its role in evaluating, diagnosing, preventing or treating oral diseases, which can affect systemic health.” – Dr. Gehani, President of the American Dental Association.
The WHO is a global organization and their statement does not account for the differing levels of community spread at a local level in addition to the precautions taken in individual dental offices. To date, there have been zero cases of COVID-19 transmission linked to dental care.
For those individuals at higher risk for contracting and developing complications from COVID-19, (over the age of 65 or those with heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, auto-immune disorders or immunocompromising conditions), or those who are particularly anxious about COVID-19, do your research and talk to your dental provider. These risks should be weighed against the risk of delaying dental care on your oral and systemic health. There are also some dental procedures which are more time sensitive than others. Restorative (fillings, crowns, root canals), periodontal (scalings, periodontal maintenance) and surgical (extractions, implants) dental procedures are urgent treatments to address conditions that will progressively worsen with time. We are available at any time to discuss your personal circumstances and answer any questions you may have.
Dentists postponed all but emergency dental care in March in order to understand the disease, consider its effect on dental patients, dental professionals and the greater community. We are currently practicing dentistry in accordance with the CDC’s interim guidance for dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. At Blue Back Dental we have also implemented precautionary measures above and beyond the CDC guidance. Here’s a recap of what we are doing to keep ourselves, our staff, and you safe.
We are using the highest level of PPE available. All clinical staff are using fit-tested N-95 masks, face shields, and isolation gowns that are changed after each aerosolizing procedure. Aerosols are minimized with evacuation devices and aerosolizing procedures are avoided when possible.
We have Surgically Clean Air Purifiers in the waiting room and each treatment room which turnover and disinfect the air every 4 minutes. After a patient leaves the treatment room, the room is fogged with hypochlorous acid at 220 ppm which kills the virus which causes COVID-19 on contact. Subsequently, after allowing droplets to settle, the room is wiped in its entirety with Cavicide. During this entire process, the air has been turned over and disinfected multiple times.
Administrative staff are wearing surgical masks at all times in addition to working behind the sneeze guard physical barriers. All patients and employees are screened through temperature checks and COVID-19 questionnaires daily.
At Blue Back Dental we are confident that we can provide dental care safely at this time amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re here to take care of all of your dental needs and answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
The Doctors and Team at Blue Back Dental