I'm sure by this point that everyone is unfortunately too aware of the spread of the Covid-19 virus. While the virus has not yet appeared in the Fox Valley, we wanted to communicate with our patients about the virus. Our knowledge of the virus is improving, however, based on cases in China there are a few assumptions we can make about symptoms. The most common symptoms of the virus (and the corresponding percentage of patients who exhibited it) are: Fever (88%), Dry Cough (68%), Fatigue (38%), Coughing up sputum (33%), Shortness of Breath (19%), Bond or Joint Pain (15%), Sore Throat (14%) and Headache (14%). Note, that Covid-19 is a lower respiratory tract infection, which differs from the common cold which is most often an upper respiratory tract infection which exhibits a runny nose and sinus congestion. The majority of patients in China (80%) had relatively mild to moderate symptoms and were able to manage their symptoms without medical intervention. Most people become sick five days after exposure, however, some have become sick as long as fourteen days after, which explains the standard quarantine of 14 days. The virus is new to human transmission, therefore no-one has immunity. The virus also appears to be easily transmitted. It is most likely that the majority of the US population will be exposed and possibly become sick with the virus in the next twelve months. The patients most at risk for a more serious Covid-19 infection are adults over 60 years of age and those with an underlying medical condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or cancer. In China 22% of Covid-19 deaths have been in adults over 80 years of age. It is recommended that all people take the following precautions:
Avoid people who are sick.
Wash your hands often.
Avoid touching surfaces in public places, or touching your face.
Avoid crowds.
Doty Island Dental Response to Covid-19
Currently, we would like all patients exhibiting cold or flu symptoms to defer dental treatment until the symptoms have resolved. We will be screening patients during appointment reminders and check in as to their health status. We realize it is inconvenient, however, for the safety of all of our patients if you are not feeling well please reschedule.
We are continuing to exercise universal precautions (wearing of a surgical mask, gloves and other personal protective equipment), this protects you as a patient as well as the staff. We continue to utilize cleaners effective in destroying viruses and bacteria in the office.
In the event of a larger outbreak in the Fox Valley, if may become necessary to defer all non-emergent treatment until the outbreak subsides. This decision will be made based upon the guidelines specified by the WHO, CDC and American Dental Association. Your health is as always our highest priority. In this case, we will do everything possible to assist patients in the event of a dental emergency such as pain or infection. In the case of a closure all patients will be notified prior to scheduled appointments.
We will continue to update as this situation evolves, but we would like you to be aware that for us, as for you, Covid-19 management is of the highest priority.
Stay healthy.
Dr. Bryan Mick and Doty Island Dental