MANSFIELD FAMILY DENTISTRY WILL FOLLOW ALL NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES AND BE ENCOURAGED WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED NEW EQUIPMENT, PRECAUTIONS, AND PROTOCOLS TO KEEP OUR PATIENTS COMFORTABLE AND SAFE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT US. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR SMILES !
Initial data developed regarding COVID indicated high health risks and I made the decision to electively shut down Mansfield Family Dentistry on the night of Sunday, March 15. Models and reports indicated the safety for both staff and patients in a dental practice was uncertain. In evaluation and response to this data, I felt it was safe to err on the side of caution until further information could be gathered. A few short days later the Governor of Michigan ordered dental offices to be shutdown. Over the past 3 months, data and information have continued to be developed and the outlook has improved significantly! The most recent data from the CDC (as of May 30, 2020), indicates that mortality rates associated with COVID are at 0.4% (SEE BELOW REFERENCE 1). This is PHENOMENAL news when comparing to initial models estimating a mortality rate of 1.0-5.0%. In addition, the CDC’s report estimates an asymptomatic rate of 35%. This may seem scary at first considering initial COVID reports indicated asymptomatic individuals could carry and infect numerous people. However, a recent article from the Respiratory Medicine Journal from May 13 (SEE BELOW REFERENCE 2) suggests asymptomatic individuals have very little infection-passing power – what a RELIEF!!! More encouraging, if you consider the CDC’s recent data and evaluate all COVID patients – symptomatic and the estimated asymptomatic – the estimated mortality rate is nearer to 0.26%!!! How incredibly GREAT is this to hear!!! Newer data continues to only provide positive indications for our future! Now, how does COVID affect how Mansfield Family Dentistry will move forward following the Governor’s lowering of restrictions? We will CONTINUE to adhere to recommendations made by the American Dental Association, the CDC, and OSHA - to implore “Universal Precautions!” Plainly put, our approach to infection control is to treat all human blood, fluids, and aerosols as if they are carrying a threatening disease or virus. This technique creates as safe of an environment as possible for EVERYONE – especially those individuals more at risk by COVID. Our infection control standard is being held to protect ALL and enable safe provision of Oral Healthcare no matter your age, pre-existing conditions, or immuno-deficiencies. Whole body health is necessary for a good quality of life and we recognize the importance of your oral health in contributing to this. We understand the responsibility we have in this process and we are implementing new safety measures to enable a safe return to caring for your oral health in today’s new environment. Please see the below list of new protocols and office implementations that will take place to maintain a safe environment for receiving Oral Healthcare. We are extremely excited to return and we appreciate your support as we do so!
