COVID-19 Office Updates

April 3, 2023

At our dental office of David J Martin DDS, your health and the health of our staff are of the utmost importance.  To ensure your health and the health of our staff, we do follow usual universal precautions in our operatories and office.  

As of April 3, 2023, the CDC has changed the current guidelines and it will no longer be mandatory for patients to wear a mask in the office.  Our patients are encouraged to wear a mask if they feel that they are vulnerable, immunocompromised, or if it makes them feel more comfortable.   As the Covid-19 transitions from a pandemic to an endemic, I promise to continue our vigilant safety protocols.  

For the protection of all our patients and staff, we are requesting the following:

If you have an illness or are exhibiting symptoms, we recommend you cancel and reschedule your dental appointment.  Some illness and symptoms include:
- cold or flu
- fever or nausea 
- severe headaches or body aches
- muscle or stomach pain, chest pain or difficulty swallowing
- vomiting or diarrhea
- active tuberculosis ( TB )
- mumps, measles, chickenpox
- other contagious disease

If you are healthy, there’s no need to cancel your regularly scheduled dental appointment. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us immediately.  

Our team will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated information when warranted.  Thank you for your patronage.

Sincerely,  

David J Martin DDS

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December 6, 2020

 I hope this message finds you and your loved ones in good health.  As you are all aware, Contra Costa County and many other counties have elected for an early shelter in place in order to slow the rapid spread of the coronavirus. 

The CDC has deemed dental offices an essential business in order for us to continue to treat patients for their dental needs.  We will continue our vigilant safety protocols and infection mitigation processes so that we can further meet your dental needs.  Although the new order is an inconvenience to our daily lives, this mandate will allow us to treat patients in an even safer environment.

Dental offices have been an extremely safe environment during the pandemic, with no documented cases of disease transmission.  We have, and will continue to follow guidelines set forth by the CDC, the ADA, and OSHA.  Our infection control practices are designed to keep our patients and staff safe and comfortable.  The recent stay at home order does not include essential Health care services, and we feel we can continue to provide safe treatment.  

We look forward to seeing you soon and we are available for you.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

David Martin DDS

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July 14, 2020

Subject:  We are still open to treat your dental needs:

 Yesterday, Gavin Newsom took additional steps to slow the transmission on COVID-19 by closing indoor operations for many business sectors throughout the state. 

 These restrictions do not affect the provision of essential health care services, including dental care.

 Dentists have been advised to continue to adhere to the strict standards of the CDPH.

 We look forward to seeing you soon.

 Sincerely,

Dr. Martin & Staff

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June 12, 2020

To Our Wonderful Patients

Many of you have been waiting for the opportunity to schedule your dental cleanings.  We really appreciate your patience  in these unprecedented times, we have had to make very difficult decisions.  Over a period of 10 weeks we lost over 900 cleaning appointments.  With our new protocols in place, we are seeing fewer patients everyday then we were prior to the pandemic.  

 Many of the people who had their cleanings canceled due to the order to shelter in place during the months of March, April, and May would have to wait almost a year to get in for their scheduled cleanings.  In order to create more equality, we have decided to postpone appointments 2-3 months in order to accommodate for those have have already lost their appointments.  This means appointments from the dates June 22nd - August 31^st will be rescheduled to the dates of September 14^th - November 31^st.  This will open enough space to schedule the patients who lost their appointments during March - May and means everyone will be averaging an 8-9 month recall for their dental cleaning.    

For those who come in more frequently then 6 months and have already had an appointment skipped will be able to keep their appointments in the upcoming schedule.  Not all our patients carry the same susceptibility to periodontal disease.  Those who suffer a more serious threat of it will be considered essential and receive priority.  

 Next Step:  Those of you with upcoming appointments will be hearing from our scheduling coordinator to move appointments.  We will then call those who have already had their appointments canceled to schedule in June, July, and August.   

 We are all in this together and this is our way to create fairness in our scheduling.  I apologize for the inconvenience in advance.

Sincerely,

Dr. Martin & staff  

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June 3, 2020


To Our Wonderful Patients,

I hope this letter finds everyone happy and healthy.  I would like to give you an update on our situation as I know many of you are wondering if your upcoming appointments will remain on the schedule.   

First of all, I am seeing patients for restorative and emergency needs.   Patients with more serious conditions will be given priority to be seen sooner.  If you feel your situation has changed or worsened in that it demands attention more quickly, please call to inform us of your dental needs.  

Many of you have been calling to inquire about your upcoming hygiene appointments.   Due to the continued risk that COVID-19 poses, we have had to completely revamp how we approach our scheduling.  Until further notice, hygienists are restricted from using the ultrasonic machine as it creates aerosols into the environment.  This will place the hygienists at an elevated risk, and in order to protect them we will not be using this technology for the near future.  Other equipment has been purchased to minimize aerosols in the office during future visits.  This does not mean your cleaning will necessarily be inferior, but it makes the hygienists less efficient.    In order to compensate for this inefficiency, we are giving them 60% more time with patients.  The extra time also allows more time to clean the treatment rooms between patients. This means that we will be treating less hygiene patients everyday.  Because of this, we have to move patients to accommodate for the appropriate length of time necessary.  Our Scheduling Coordinator  ( a.k.a. Joyce ) will be in contact with you regarding anything that is scheduled.  

I would also like to mention that the extra PPE makes the dental staff quite hot during the day, and you may find the temperature very cold upon entry.  We can no longer give blankets to patients, bringing a sweater may help keep you comfortable.

Lastly,  I want to let everyone know how grateful we are for your continued patience.  We are working hard to make our office safe and comfortable for everyone.   


Sincerely,


Dr. Martin & Staff

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 May 18, 2020  

To Our Wonderful Patients,

We look forward to the ability to once again give necessary treatment to our patients.  Due to COVID-19, a lot has changed.  We would like to give you an idea of what to expect.  We want to assure you that we are taking this matter seriously.  

At our office we have always taken infection control seriously and has and will be a top priority.  Our infection control processes are designed to keep both you and our health providers safe.  Our office follows recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American Dental Association (ADA).  We follow the activities of these agencies to remain up to date with our protocols. 

Due to COVID-19, you will notice many changes when you arrive for treatment.  Different protocols in how we screen, welcome, and treat our patients.  New equipment as well, all to keep us protected.  Here are some examples.  

1. Our office will call to ask you questions in order to screen for COVID-19, and will ask again when you arrive at the office. 
2. When you arrive at the office, please stay in your vehicle and call us.  To follow social distancing guidelines, we will be limiting the amount of people in the office at any given time.   We will let you know when your health provider is ready for you.
3. Please wear a mask into the office and have it remain on unless treatment is being performed. Upon entry, there will be a station to clean your hands with sanitizer.  
4. Our staff will be wearing the proper PPE, gowns, masks, face shields, and hair covers.  This can look a little intimidating, but I promise our familiar smiling faces are under those masks.  
5. There will be little to no time spent in reception room, as your provider will be ready for you and direct you to your treatment room.  
6. In the treatment room, you will be given an antiseptic mouth rinse.
7. Each room has a HEPA 13 air filter which recycles the air every 10 minutes.  Other equipment will also be utilized to limit aerosols.  
8. Upon completion of treatment, you will be able to wash your hands in the room and exit. 

We are working on the ability to accept payments remotely and will try and deal with most questions over the phone to improve social distancing.  We are excited to see our friends again and help you with any dental work you need.  

If you have any questions , I would be happy to answer them regarding our steps to keep you safe in our practice.   

Sincerely,

Dr. Martin and Team

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