| COVID-19 and What We Are Doing About It |
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If you're like us we're starting to get a little tired of COVID-19. On Tuesday, March 17th (Happy St. Patrick's Day from, Dr. O'Layer!) I made the very difficult decision to close my practice temporarily until the pandemic passes. Two days later, Governor Brown gave the executive order closing dental practices (as well as other businesses that use PPE - personal protective equipment) in order to conserve the PPE for front-line medical use. Of course the executive order provides exception for emergencies (which it should) so as to keep dental emergencies from landing folks in the ER.
Here's what we are doing:
1. We are still seeing our patients in our office for emergency dental problems. I am screening extensively by phone to determine the best way to handle dental issues as they arise. Patients are seen in our office by appointment only. We are not providing walk-in care.
2. We have always thoroughly disinfected our patient treatment rooms. And we will continue to do so.
3. We are making additional special efforts in our office. In addition to aggressively disinfecting every surface in the treatment rooms, we have also implemented an aggressive disinfection routine throughout all other areas of our office.
4. Not only are each of us washing our hands before and after every patient (which we have always done) our patients are washing their hands as well! When you come in we will direct you to wash your own hands (20 seconds with warm soapy water) before and after your visit. We have 60% alcohol hand sanitizer available for your use while you are in our office. And right now that assumes that you have a dental emergency and actually need to come in to our office - which we sincerely hope that you do not!
Our team is highly trained in sterilization, disinfection, and universal precautions. This is what we have trained for and we're ready. We understand your concerns and are continuing to stay current with the latest information from the CDC and the State of Oregon.
We will be continually available for dental emergencies just as we have always been. We look forward to this pandemic passing.
We welcome any questions you may have.
Jacob O. Layer, DMD & Team
PS - stay health, stay home, and stay positive! |
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| Do The Five (Help STOP Coronavirus)
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1: HANDS wash them often
2: ELBOW cough into it
3: FACE don't touch it
4: FEET stay more than 6 feet apart
5: FEEL sick, stay home! |
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| Smile! |
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It's definitely a crazy time right now with the COVID-19 pandemic, toilet paper frenzy and sanitizer rationing. One thing we can all do that will benefit us and those around us is to smile.
Smiling releases endorphins (natural pain killers), dopamine, and serotonin (natural anti-depressant) into our bloodstream helping out body to relax and lower our heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, smiling releases neuropeptides: tiny molecules that help us fight off stress. Smiling and laughing also boost our immune systems by increasing immune cells and antibodies!
Smiling is also infectious! When someone else observes you smiling it will make them want to smile as well.
Smiling also activates the orbitofrontal cortex in the people that see you smiling. This is the reward processing area of the brain so other people feel as if they are being rewarded by seeing you smile.
So when you're feeling down, overwhelmed, or stressed, try to smile (faking it works, too!). That toothy grin (or even toothless!) will do wonders for those around you while benefiting you as well. It's a win win!
- Jocelyn RDH |
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