COVID-19 Updates

According to CDC.gov, The SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated ‘COVID-19’) is a respiratory disease pandemic that has already spread to over 100 locations internationally, with illnesses ranging from very mild to severe, including death.
This pandemic presents some important questions:

How safe is it to stay open, for both my dental team and my patients?
Do the benefits of treating patients and employing staff outweigh the risk of a patient or team member contracting COVID-19?

This situation is rapidly evolving, and leaders have struggled to provide clear guidance. My colleagues and I have been actively discussing what an appropriate course of action looks like while attempting to avoid overreaction.
On June 15, 2020, the Oregon Dental Association website (“oregondental.org”) posted an update that encourages dental professionals “do our part in minimizing the spread of this deadly virus, we encourage you to thoughtfully consider limiting non-urgent procedures.”

"What we know

• OSHA indicates that dentists are among the ‘very high exposure risk’ health professional category
• Some patients may present asymptomatic but may indeed carry the virus
• Individuals may not have symptoms of the virus for up to 14 days after exposure
• The virus is most likely spread between individuals in close contact and through inhalation of infected droplets fluids
• More information is available from CDC.gov”

I believe the next three weeks are going to be useful in understanding how to best move forward. In the interim, I have chosen to close Gifford Family Dentistry beginning the week of March 16, 2020 because the potential risks are too great to my team and my patients. We are automatically cancelling all of the appointments on the schedule for the next week. Candace will call you soon to discuss rescheduling options. The decision to open or remain closed will be made each Monday based on the best current recommendations.

Please contact me directly with questions or concerns on my cell phone at (503) 432-1600.

I will continue to personally see any patient with a dental emergency. I have developed protocols to reduce the transmission of this airborne virus while in the dental office and those protocols will be utilized for each person in the office during an emergency procedure.

My family and I are staying home, playing games together, and intentionally isolating ourselves from the world around us in an effort to protect our neighbors and ourselves from this threat. I strongly encourage each of you to stay vigilant and consider making the same modifications as much as you are able.
Sincerely,

Todd A Gifford DMD