Navigating the Covid-19 Virus Guidelines

In accordance with the updated guidelines of the Indiana Dental Association and the American Dental Association, we will be rescheduling elective appointments for the next 3 weeks. Our staff will be reaching out to you to make those adjustments. We will do our best to return all calls and messages promptly. As always will be available should you need urgent care.

There are a couple interesting things to note. Early last week we started screening patients and resolved to taking everyone’s temperature with digital thermometers. No one had an elevated temperature. No one reported any concerning recent history correlating with Covid-19 associated risks.

Lastly, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of my patients and staff. You have all been extremely patient and accepting of the new policies and procedures we have implemented these last couple of weeks. I had no idea how it would be received, but everyone has been fantastic. I am truly Blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

Yours always,

Dr. David Slyby

Add comment March 17, 2020

Your safety and the Coronavirus.

For your peace of mind, I’d like to explain some of the things we are doing to combat the Covid-19 virus. I have been closely monitoring this outbreak since mid-January. Shortly after I realized the virulence of the novel coronavirus, I began devising a plan to eliminate risk factors in our office.

When you come into the office, some enhancements will be obvious to you but the great majority of improvements you will not see. I’d like to describe the steps we are taking to keep you and our staff safe.

We are prepared to screen patients regarding recent travel and other relevant aspects as needs arise.

Our staff has canceled their previously scheduled travel plans.

In the past, our infection control benchmarks have easily met OSHA requirements and the accepted standard of care. Now, we are going far beyond.

We have reevaluated our chairside contamination control. We have removed everything from counter-tops and shelves that can become contaminated and not easily disinfected. This includes parting with some things that frankly makes our lives easier but unfortunately adds more opportunity for contamination. The less there is to disinfect, the better job we can do with smooth surface decontamination and disinfection.

To improve on the unique challenges restorative dentistry provides, two assistants will now be assisting for most procedures. One will perform normal chairside duties while the other will bring needed instruments and clinical supplies from the sterilization area, all to eliminate the risk of cross contamination from airborne particulates.

We are only using level 3 and higher masks. Eye protection will be utilized by the staff and is available for the patients as needed or requested.

I have gone so far as to purchase black lights and luminol. When beneficial, we are able to turn off the lights in any room and we will fluoresce surfaces to help insure that we are decontaminating thoroughly.

Yesterday and today specialists installed dual decontamination ultraviolet filters into our air-conditioning and heating systems. These units will now kill viruses and all categories of bioaerosols that are circulating through our systems. We can immediately provide as pure of air as possible in the office.

Additionally, we may also be adjusting our humidity in the building. Research has shown humidity and lack-there-of can greatly affect the transmissibility of a virus.
In addition to what is listed here, there are other methods we are incorporating to prevent contamination. Please know we are leaving no stone unturned in providing a safe environment for our patients and staff. We will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Truly Yours,

Dr. David Slyby

Add comment March 12, 2020

2019 Readers Choice Winner!

You did it again!
Again we were voted one of Fort Wayne’s Best Dental Offices! Thank you for your support and votes. A lot of you have been in since the contest started and told me you voted. We can’t thank you enough. For the rest of the year, if you mention our win, we will gift you a free extra tooth-brush or large toothpaste!

Add comment September 23, 2019

We’ve got you covered!

Stop in to get a free SPF 15 Sunblock and protect those lips.

It’s that time of year to start protecting your skin and lips with sunblock. Protecting your lips from sun exposure is extremely important. Commonly I have people ask me why they are having chapped lips in the summer. That’s not chapped lips….That’s a SUNBURN!!!! And just like any other area of the body, we want you to protect our lips from dangerous sun rays.

So PLEASE stop in a pick one up and apply it frequently when out in the summer sun or even when on vacation. Lip cancer is one of the most prominent oral cancers because of the exposure lips get from the sun.  If you develop sores or signs that won’t go away, see your dentist for a quick check up. Just like everything else, early diagnosis is the key to an easy recovery.

Add comment June 7, 2019

Probiotics

You may be hearing more and more about probiotics these days and for good reason.    The last several years, probiotics have become a frequent component of protecting and treating patients in my practice. 

The basics:   There are certain good bacteria that our body needs to maintain adequate health and equilibrium.   Probiotics are supplements that contain good bacteria designed to deliver a balance throughout the digestive system, starting with the mouth.   These good bacteria promote an overall healthy well-being and even help fight disease.

With c. diff  ( https://cdifffoundation.org/  )becoming more prevalent with the use of broad spectrum antibiotics, probiotics should be standard protocol for the dental office today.  We also treat yeast infections in the mouth which requires a harmony between components like bacteria and yeast.  As our busy lifestyles lead us to substitute natural foods for processed foods, bad bacteria flourish like never before. 

“Oral Probiotics” are products that contain very specific bacterial strains that are designed to improve the environment in the digestive system and oral cavity.   These can come in the form of pills, tablets, lozenges, chewing gum, toothpaste, rinses, and chewables.

In addition to manufactured probiotics, several foods are natural probiotics. 

• Sauerkraut
• Yogurts with live active cultures
• Raw Cheeses
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Salted Gherkin Pickles
• Brine Cured Olives
• Miso
• Natto
• Kefir
• Coconut Kefir
• Kvass
• Tempeh
• Kombucha

Conversely, bad bacteria thrive in foods with refined sugars, animal fats, and processed flours. 

So the overall goal with probiotic use is to maintain an environment where good bacteria outnumber harmful bacteria and yeasts.  Once established, probiotic colonies can be maintained with proper dietary choices.   PREbiotic foods like fresh vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods sustain healthy colonization.     As you can see, probiotics not only can be used to protect and treat patients from illness, they can be instrumental in establishing an overall healthy lifestyle.  

Add comment May 21, 2019

Voted 2018 Fort Wayne’s Best Dentist!!!!

Thank you for voting us one of Fort Wayne’s Best Dental Practices!!!! The results were published yesterday and our office finished second place behind a large 4-doctor practice. We are sincerely grateful to those that took the time to vote. You are our inspiration. ☺️

Add comment September 25, 2018

Whitening a Child’s Dark Teeth: Whitening Pens

A common question I get asked is, “How can I whiten my child’s teeth.”  Often times children’s anterior permanent teeth erupt darker than normal.  Certain food habits can also influence this.  Parents are concerned enough but when the child goes to school and peers start asking questions like “why are your teeth so dark,” now the child is motivated too.   We shouldn’t use the fixed whitening trays in a growing child and subjecting them to vigorous in-office whitening is a more than they can handle and not recommended.  Moreover, children can’t manage the whitening strips or adaptable trays because of the high salivary flow and the sloppy fit.  But there is another option.  Whitening pens are an easy, fast, comfortable, and inexpensive way to whiten a child’s teeth.   Some kits even come with a universal mouth prop to keep the lips away and the teeth dry.   These kits can be ordered through your favorite dental office and just like all whitening systems, a professional teeth cleaning should be administered before starting the whitening.  In my research, not all whitening pens are the same material. I recommend ibrite* as it has the ingredients and concentration that I think work best.  It also includes the mouth prop.

Pen whitening was used to significantly whiten my daughter’s dark teeth.  Now she has a beautiful white smile just like her sister.

Add comment September 10, 2018

Nominated 2018 Fort Wayne’s Best Dentist!

We have been nominated as 2018 Fort Wayne’s Best Dentist. Please vote for us by going to www.Fortwayne.com and click on “Readers Choice”  or try this link.  Thank you for all of your support!

http://fwn-egen2.fortwayne.com/fwngeneral/readerschoice/readerschoice_vote/

Add comment July 18, 2018

Dr. Slyby is now certified to provide Invisalign orthodontic therapy.   Invisalign has many advantages over conventional brackets and wires.   If you want an improved smile, please don’t hesitate to ask us about the benefits of this great technology.

Add comment April 23, 2018

Cerec Omnicam: 3D Imaging and Crowns in a Day Without Impressions!

We now have the technology to do crowns in a single day.   We also don’t have to take impressions anymore.   Now we scan the tooth with a Cerec Omnicam 3D imaging scanner.  This incorporates CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology that houses a camera and a powerful computer with unbelievable software.   Digital imaging captures a hologram-like image of the tooth which then gets sent via wi-fi to the lab’s milling machines.

Just some of the benefits for our patients:

• No more uncomfortable, messy impressions
• Most cases can be done without the tenderness of the strings wrapped around the tooth for gingival retraction.
• Less anesthesia and pain free.
• High-tech accuracy.
• Natural, metal free tooth-colored crowns.
• Preserves more healthy tooth material.
• Shorter appointments
• Extremely precise for long-lasting, more predictable outcomes.
• Single-day convenience if desired.

There are more than 20 years of clinical research and in-practice experience behind this technology. We are pleased to offer this high-tech solution

Add comment June 19, 2017