COVID19: A Letter to Patients

Dear Friends,

I wanted to address the COViD19 virus that is circulating our population and dominating our attention in the last few weeks.

This is not the first contagious illness that has circulated our country nor will it be the last. In my practice lifetime, I have dealt first hand with threats from HIV/Aids, Swine flu, H1N1, MERS, to name the most well known. In addition, every year in “flu season” we see patients who have had the flu or have recently recovered. Furthermore, hepatitis in its many forms, HPV, herpes, etc. etc. all are part of our everyday existence as your dentist and the dental team.

I have always followed every CDC guideline and continue those practices each day. I have never had one incident of a team member to patient transmission or a patient to team member transmission of any illness or condition in my practice. I ensure that all of us do everything daily to provide you with a safe and disease-free environment to receive your dental care.

In saying that, we have not changed anything in regards to our sterilization practices or cleaning and disinfecting our treatment rooms between patients. We have ten minutes at the end of each visit set aside to clean and disinfect each treatment area. Many of you over the years have complimented the hygiene of my office and I have always made it the number one priority in my practice. I do not overbook my schedule as you have experienced. I do not have a cramped reception area overflowing with people. I have always thought that it is important to respect your time and provide comfort and space in that area. We clean the reception area multiple times a day.

The office building has intensified the cleaning of the public areas of our building. Additional people have been added for the cleaning of the doors, door handles, railings and elevator areas with disinfecting wipes. I anticipate this will be added as a permanent service at our property.

I want you to know that you are safe here to receive your needed care. My team is safe working here for you. We are operating business as usual. We have an ample supply of gloves, masks and protective disinfectant material on hand.

While I am concerned about this virus, I am also concerned about delaying needed dental care including regular preventive visits. As well as I know about infectious diseases, I am certain that not getting the care you need and neglecting routine preventive cleanings always leads to more extensive and expensive dental treatments later that will have a direct impact on you long after we have solved this public health threat.

Feel free to call me directly at if (410) 877-7900 you have any questions or send me an email with your thoughts. All of you have supported me and I am extremely thankful for each one of you. I am taking this seriously as I have in the past when the threats were the same or greater but the attention was much less. I am here for you anytime you need me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Melissa Elliott