6/5/2020
Dear Patient:
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Although Covid-19 has struck us in an unprecedented way, our local communities in Silicon Valley have managed and contained the virus more effectively than many other regions of the world. As such, the health officer of Santa Clara County Department of Public Health (SCCDPH) believes that it is safe for us to resume all elective dentistry within the guidelines of the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) as of May 22, 2020.
While many things have changed within the last few months, one thing has remained the same: our practice’s commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority in our practice as you probably have experienced during your prior visits to our office. Not only does our office strictly follow infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the CDC, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), we often exceed and do beyond what is required. Furthermore, we follow the activities of these agencies very closely so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
You may see some of the eye-opening updates when it is time for your next appointment. Some of these are,
Physical barriers of “Sneeze Guard” at the front desk
An additional air purifier (with HEPA filters) for a total of 3 air purifiers to provide cleaner and healthier air for everyone in the office
Extra-Oral Suction Devices (made in Korea) to minimize aerosol contamination during dental treatments
Hypochlorous (HOCl) Acid fogging as an extra step of disinfecting the treatment rooms
Some of the other changes may initially seem inconvenient. However, these new protocols will help protect all of us together. For example:
Our office staff will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
You will see that our waiting room will now provide limited seating and will no longer offer magazines, K-cup coffee, and other amenities due difficulties in proper cleaning and disinfecting.
Everyone (including all patients and employees) are required to brush their teeth, gargle with mouthwash, wash their hands with soap, and have their temperature measured as soon as they enter the office.
All appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing as much as possible.
We thank you for your trust and confidence in allowing us to care for you and your family. We feel very delighted to announce the good news. We will happily answer any questions you may have with regards to our forward progress. You may call the office at (408) 226-5560 or visit our website at www.ddsbaik.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Dennis Baik DDS and Team
A mouth guard is a protective covering worn over teeth to protect them while playing sports or grinding them at night. In the past, the use of mouth guards was mostly restricted to athletes. These days, more parents are following their dentists' advice and getting mouth guards for their kids who participate in physical sports.Every…
If you find yourself scared of visiting the dentist or undergoing dental procedures, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. Most people dealing with dental anxiety would rather endure pain from dental issues instead of meet with the dentist. Sedation dentistry can help you deal with your dental fears and relax in the dentist's chair. The…
Replacing your missing tooth protects your dental health while restoring the appearance of your smile. Replacing a lost tooth with an oral prosthetic often starts with a consultation with a dentist. The dentist evaluates the patient’s teeth and gums before recommending missing teeth replacement options that are best suited for them.Consulting with a dentist about…
Periodontics care is specialized dental care for treating and preventing periodontal disease from reappearing. Scaling and root planing may be performed on patients with periodontal disease to eliminate bacterial plaque and other toxins. Gum disease-causing bacteria can reappear three to four months after initial treatment. As a result, the dentist will recommend coming for cleanings…
A mouth guard is a protective covering worn over teeth to protect them while playing sports or grinding them at night. In the past, the use of mouth guards was mostly restricted to athletes. These days, more parents are following their dentists' advice and getting mouth guards for their kids who participate in physical sports.Every…
If you find yourself scared of visiting the dentist or undergoing dental procedures, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. Most people dealing with dental anxiety would rather endure pain from dental issues instead of meet with the dentist. Sedation dentistry can help you deal with your dental fears and relax in the dentist's chair. The…