The safety, health and well-being of our mutual patients has always been our top priority. Whether this is through the care we provide or the environment of our surgical facilities. Our internal policies and procedures have always exceeded federally mandated guidelines to protect our patients and staff. Our commitment to provide your patients the safest care throughout this evolving situation is not something we take lightly.
We always have and will continue to go above and beyond to ensure that we are exceeding the highest standard of care and customer service.
Here are a few extra precautions that we are taking, but not limited to:
• Monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization.
• Following the news related to local conditions on an hourly basis.
• Increasing the frequency of our sanitation practices inside and outside our surgical facilities.
• Wiping down our waiting rooms, chairs, counters and door handles hourly.
• Providing additional hand sanitizer to patients.
• Allowing our patients to wait in their cars or outside our office and notifying them when we are ready for their appointment.
We are also asking our patients a few questions to help mitigate any potential exposures. These questions are:
• If you are a patient who has traveled outside the US within the last month
• Had contact with someone who traveled outside the US and was/is now sick
• Had contact with someone who was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus or the flu
• Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms: Temperature, Active Cough or Trouble Breathing
If you answer yes, our doctor will be informed and will take appropriate action to protect patients and staff.
Sincerely,
The Doctors and Staff at SVII
About 15 percent of adult Americans currently smoke cigarettes. This habit can cause cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory disease, among other complications. What many people don't realize however, is that smoking can also cause gum disease. For World No Tobacco Day on May 31, consider kicking the habit and taking care of your teeth and gums. Common Oral Symptoms of Tobacco Use Tobacco affects the bones attached to your teeth as well as your gum tissue cells’ function. It also impedes blood flow, which can prevent wound healing. Smoking can cause the following symptoms: · Tooth discoloration · Bad breath · Bone loss within the jaw · White patches, called leukoplakia · Buildup of tarter and plaque on teeth · Gum disease · Slowed healing after periodontal treatment, tooth extraction and oral surgery · Risk of oral cancer · Unsuccessful dental implant procedures Types of Tobacco and Their Complications While many attribute health complications to cigarettes, they aren’t the only form of tobacco that can cause oral problems. Those who smoke pipes and cigars are at risk for tooth loss and bone loss, throat cancer and periodontal disease. They also generally experience bad breath and stained teeth. Chewing tobacco can increase chances of oral complications even more than cigarettes, pipes and cigars. Smokeless tobacco products have 28 chemicals, if not more, that increase the risk of throat, oral and esophageal cancer. Chewing tobacco has higher levels of nicotine, and a can of snuff has more nicotine than 60 cigarettes. Getting Back on Track Fortunately, complications from smoking and other uses of tobacco don’t have to be a lifelong sentence. Quitting tobacco can greatly increase the health of your teeth and gums. Even just lowering your tobacco use can have a significant effect. Dr. Saunders can help restore damaged teeth and gums with LANAP laser treatment in Harrisonburg, VA. This treatment often eliminates the need for oral surgery by using a laser to vaporize bacteria and tissue that has been affected. Give us a call to go over treatment options and to get you back on the road to oral health.