Office Now Open

When you’re ready, we are ready.

​We’ve been open now for several weeks and are gradually getting our schedule refined so that we can take good care of all of you who are anxious to see us.

We know for some of you it may be a stressful time thinking about going to the dentist. That’s why we’ve implemented what we consider to be the very best protocols and installed additional equipment and trained extensively to ensure your safety.

See below for a complete list of all the protocols and safety enhancements we have.

Additionally, we offer Tele-dentistry where you can set up a video teleconference with Dr. Otten if you’d like to discuss your oral health or any questions online. We have found this to be a great addition to our practice and encourage you to set up a time now.

I want everyone to feel confident that you’re coming to a safe place. Our first and foremost concern is always your safety and the safety of our team. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t feel like we could protect ourselves and our family. That family includes you and if you’re not yet part of our family we welcome you to a place where your best interest is always our only interest.

Protocols and Safety Enhancements

​Your safety is our most important concern. We have been working through this quarantine period to develop these plans so we anticipate the scheduling process to begin in the next few days. Feel free to call us if you’d like an appointment.

Things will be very different and these changes will also create improvement. We have elevated our already high standard of care infection control protocols to meet or exceed CDC and ADA guidelines for coronavirus. For example, in addition to new masks, gowns and face shields we have installed HEPA vac filtration at each chair, some with attachments that vacuum right under our patients chin to quickly capture the aerosols. Additionally, we’ve added ionizers to trap virus particles in the central HVAC as a secondary precaution. Also, we are fogging our office frequently throughout the day with a disinfectant fog that is nontoxic to us but 99.9% effective against corona viruses. Our staff is outfitted with the best protective gear available and have their temperature taken each day as well.

There will also be changes to your personal experience as well. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to just walk through the door. You’ll fill out a screening questionnaire in advance and when you arrive you’ll text us so we know that you’re in the parking lot. Once we are totally prepared we’ll meet you at the outside door, take your temperature and provide a mask for you if you don’t already have one. We will pre-evaluate your medical history to assess your health risk.

As has always been our goal, we’ll see one person at a time, try to keep our reception area empty to limit the number of people and everyone in the office will practice the six-foot distancing rules to the greatest extent possible. Our coffee bar is now a sanitization station (not nearly as good). These physical restrictions may also limit our ability to schedule you at specific times and we’ll have to ask for your indulgence.

You’ll be able to interact with us online doing Tele-dentistry consultations which we’ve already had great success with and is available to all. Also, we will continue to offer our dental membership plans to help make great care affordable and easy on your budget.

So, while there are lots of changes and adaptations to accommodate this new “not normal”, our purpose and commitment never changes. We will continue to provide you with world class care that enriches, enhances and can extend your life. Please visit our website for more detailed information about these new changes and as always feel free to call or email anytime with your questions or concerns.

Sincerely

Dr’s. Jim, Luke and team

From Covid to Clarity – We’re here for you

What a week it’s been.

If there’s ever been a more turbulent time in my life I really can’t remember what it is. The fear of the unknown and the feelings of helplessness can pervade our psyche and cause us to feel unimaginable stress. Ironically, at these moments we need our loved ones close to us yet the most loving thing we can do is physically distance ourselves from many of them.

In times of great stress and loss Elizabeth Kubler Ross described five stages of grief:
denial, anger, depression, bargaining and lastly acceptance.

Grief doesn’t happen just when we lose a loved one, it can happen at any time in our life when we lose a measure of our health, our financial stability or when we are faced with an enormous crisis. Right now we have all those possibilities at once.

Throughout these phases there are things that we need for support :
First, we need good information and communication Over the coming weeks we are going to regularly provide you with information to help you through this crisis.

Next we also need emotional support from our tribe / from our community. We are reaching out to our colleagues and mentors in dentistry trying to put the best minds together to help us move forward. Do the same with your community but most importantly connect with those people you love after all you can’t say you don’t have the time.

Lastly, we need guidance and direction to move forward. I hope that you’ll find our communications like this to help you with that guidance to move to a better future and a brighter day.

Part of our responsibility to you and to each other is to help you with clear communication and information that can help you through this crisis. While we may not be in our office, know that we are always here to help and you can call us anytime for any reason. We will get back with you and help you through whatever you’re going through.

This isn’t about teeth, it is about smiling again, but right now it’s about us coming together and helping one another to find our way through the darkness. All along the way we will see glimpses of light and hope. Remember, today we are one day closer to the end of this, today we are one day closer to finding treatment, today we are one day closer to testing and today we are one day closer to a joyous celebration of how we, as a people pulled together with extreme empathy and overcame one of the most significant challenges in history. It’s up to us! We must act selflessly both individually and collectively to make it happen. God bless you and your family. Keep them safe and know we’re here to help.

Remember, only love prevails,

Jim Otten and the team of extraordinary caregivers