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
One of the key points of Oral Cancer Awareness Month happening every April, is to educate people about the symptoms of the disease, and the importance of early detection. When cancers are detected early, effected individuals are more likely to be able to seek effective treatment. For this reason, every patient should receive regular screenings that include looking for oral cancer symptoms in Harrisonburg, VA and Winchester, VA. How Is Oral Cancer Detected? Our periodontists are skilled in performing screenings for oral cancer. When they look for signs that a patient may have oral cancer, they usually perform a set examination so they do not miss anything. This examination can include visually and manually inspecting the color of the gums and tissues of the mouth. They will look for red and white patches, sores, lumps or any indication that abnormal growth is occurring. If cancer is suspected, the doctor will take a small sample of cells for the diagnosis to be confirmed by laboratory technicians. Additional Detection Tools The doctor may also use some additional tools to detect oral cancer. In some cases, the doctor may ask you to rinse your mouth with a specially formulated blue dye prior to your exam. If you have any abnormal cells in your mouth, they may take on a blue hue when they come into contact with the dye. Additionally, the doctor may utilize a bright light during your exam. The light may make any potentially infected cells appear white, while healthy tissue remains dark. Both tools are simply a way the doctor can increase his chances of properly diagnosing each patient. Set Up a Screening Today As with any other cancer, early detection is key. For this reason, Drs. Steven & Victor Saunders and Dickson recommend that every patient is screened for the condition regularly, especially if they are at a greater risk for developing the disease. Contact our office today to set up a screening.