Dr. Phuong Le and Dr. Uyen Hoang and our staff members at Le Dentistry & Associates are dedicated to helping you reach and maintain an optimal level of oral and dental health. We are also taking numerous precautions to keep you safe during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
We are closely following the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are working hard to minimize your risk, and our own.
The virus
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. It’s primarily a respiratory illness that scientists believe is spread most often through droplets that move through the air when you breathe, talk, sneeze, cough, or otherwise expel air.
These microscopic droplets can enter your body through your eyes, mouth, or nose. If you’re close to an infected person, you’re more vulnerable to coming into contact with their respiratory droplets. It’s also possible to contract the virus by touching a surface where infected droplets are, then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, though this form of transmission is less common.
There’s no way to predict how COVID-19 will affect you. Some people are infected and never know it at all, while it’s fatal to others. Even people without symptoms can spread the virus.
Dental care during a pandemic
Dental care is important, but there are a few factors to consider before scheduling an appointment at Le Dentistry & Associates, including:
Symptoms? Reschedule, please
If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 at all and you have an appointment with us, please reschedule. The CDC provides an extensive list of symptoms; some common ones include a cough, shortness of breath, and a fever.
Also, if you know that you’ve been around someone who has the virus, either at work, home, or in your community, please reschedule your appointment with us for at least two weeks later.
Routine visits can wait
Routine dental care is a pillar of good oral health, but you may want to consider delaying nonemergency care for now. Doing so can minimize your risk of spreading COVID-19 or being exposed to it yourself.
If you require emergency dental care, such as for an infection, broken teeth, or other similar situations, please know that we are here to help. Please feel free to call our office so that we can determine if an in-office visit is necessary.
Maintain physical distance
The closer you are physically to another person, the higher the likelihood of coming into contact with their respiratory droplets. Two ways to limit the spread of the virus is to maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people and to wear a mask, which prevents your respiratory droplets from traveling as far.
Sanitation measures
We are working hard to keep you safe, and as part of that work, we have implemented a sanitation protocol. After each patient appointment, we clean and disinfect all of the surfaces in the room. We are especially vigilant in cleaning and disinfecting the instruments we use during routine cleanings, checkups, and procedures.
A little patience goes a long way
People are worried and frustrated as they attempt to navigate the pandemic as safely as possible. Tempers are short, and often waiting times are long. Protecting you and ourselves may require changes such as staggered appointment times and limits on how many people can be inside our office at the same time.
Please leave extra time in your schedule to accommodate these changes. Our team wants to provide you with the highest quality care possible, and right now that may take a little longer than usual.
Take care of your teeth at home
Although you may need to delay routine visits for a little while, you should still follow a careful dental hygiene regimen at home. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once per day, and rinse your mouth after meals or consuming foods or beverages that can stain your teeth.
Good dental hygiene at home can prevent cavities, infections, and gum disease, even if you can’t get your regular cleaning.
If you have a question, need emergency dental care, or you’d like to discuss when you should schedule an appointment, you’re welcome to call us at 678-252-9881, or you can use our online booking tool to schedule.