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An update from Dr. Occhipinti
We are continuing to monitor recommendations from the American Dental Association and Center for Disease Control to weigh the risks to ourselves against the needs of our patients to make a determination as to when our offices will reopen.
We are seeing dental offices reopen in several states as well as right here in New Jersey and we are excited by this!
Because of this, we anticipate reopening in the next couple of weeks.
What’s staying the same?
1. We have always taken comprehensive precautions to protect against bacteria and viruses by sanitizing the rooms, equipment and tools used on our patients. We further protect ourselves using masks and gloves.
2. There are significant consequences to unresolved and untreated tooth abscess and infection including possible systemic illness, serious cardiac, and septic infections.
3. Oral hygiene is important for preventing tooth and gum issues and remains imperative to maintaining overall health. This includes your regular cleaning and exam, tooth brushing, flossing, and rinsing to mitigate bacterial load and removing debris.
4. Dentistry has always been at the forefront of infection control.
5. We care about you. Your health is our top priority. If you have a dental emergency or a concern, call our office to speak with one of our doctors to determine your next steps. We are on call 24/7 and our doctors can also be reached with questions at info@rahwaydental.com and southboundbrookdental@gmail.com
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What’s changing?
1. We will be prioritizing patients with emergencies, such as broken teeth, pain, and swelling. We have always done this but we have many patients who have been waiting to be seen and we must prioritize them.
2. We will be starting to use additional precautions to protect ourselves from anything that may come into the air from your dental procedure. For instance, our team will be adding face shields to protect any water molecules and airborne viruses and bacteria from making contact with our faces. You may notice other new procedures but we will do our best to maintain our welcoming atmosphere.
3. We will be scheduling hygiene appointments later in the Summer after we have had the opportunity to treat emergencies and respond to urgent needs.​
4. When you arrive at your appointment, call the office to let us know you are here. We will let you know if you should remain in your car or if your room is ready for you. Plan to appear for your appointment by yourself (as our reception areas will remain closed.) We will do everything necessary to accommodate you.
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Like you, we are tired of house projects and cleaning out closets, and looking forward to brighter days. We know these have been trying times for us all. If there is anything we can do to help you and your family during this challenging time, will you let us know?
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Dr. James J Occhipinti, DMD, FAGD