Our community has been through a lot due to the ongoing pandemic, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your health and safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority of our dental practice, and you may have seen that we take great pride in this. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep the patients, staff, and the ones we come in contact with in our daily lives safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

Upon the emergence of COVID-19, here are some additional measures we take to ensure your safety:
  • Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office, and we will be taking your temperature. Based on your answers and if your temperature is 100.4°F or higher, we will need to reschedule your appointment.
  • We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in other places in the office for you to use as needed.
  • You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. Similarly, please limit the personal belongings that you bring inside to your appointment.
  • Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients when possible. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment. Please respect the social distancing requirement of 6 feet where practical.
  • We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time. To that end, please consider calling from your car to check on the status of the reception area and be on time. Also, please come alone to your appointments. If needed, one guardian/caretaker is permitted, but they must remain in the reception area.
  • Please arrive with face masks/coverings for they will be required at all times for both patients and staff when appropriate.
  • An antiseptic mouth rinse will be used just prior to treatment for the health and safety of all. Where possible, expect changes in how we do certain procedures to eliminate or reduce the spread of aerosols and splatter during treatment. For example, for now we will be temporarily eliminating ultrasonic tools and teeth polishing during your teeth cleaning appointments until further notice.
  • Clear sneeze guard barriers between you and our front desk personnel will be used to aid in social distancing, and we ask that we all limit our conversations to what’s necessary to limit contact time. More regular and frequent sanitizing of high touch areas and items will be done for your health and safety. This includes door and other handles, light switches, countertops, etc.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 415-752-8311 .

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.

Sincerely,
Dr. Leo Arellano

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San Francisco dentist helps many patients who have obstructive sleep apnea

San Francisco dentist helps many patients who have obstructive sleep apnea

It is estimated that more than 22 million Americans suffer from the debilitation and life shortening effects of sleep apnea. Fortunately, help for this serious condition may be as close as the dentist’s office. Dental therapy has had a role in managing obstructive sleep apnea since it was discovered that appliances used to enhance craniofacial development were found to help open the airway. Dr. Leo Arellano and his skilled team have played a large role in helping many people in San Francisco, Daly City, and the neighboring areas, who are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea to get the restorative sleep they need.

Understanding obstructive sleep apnea

Air passes through the upper airway (mouth, nose, and throat) on its way to the lungs. The soft area at the back of the throat has a tendency to collapse inward when a person breathes, but the muscles dilate (widen) keeping the airway open. Abnormalities or interference with this process causes air turbulence, and in some cases, the tissues collapse, blocking the airway temporarily, causing apnea. Five or more of these episodes per hour of sleep is considered obstructive sleep apnea.

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue even after eight hours of sleep, dozing while reading or watching TV, or even while stopped at a traffic light
  • Loud chronic snoring
  • Pauses in breathing during sleep as witnessed by a housemate
  • Morning sore throat, dry mouth, or headache
  • Insomnia
  • Impaired emotional and mental functions such as irritability and difficulty concentrating
We are here to help Call us at 415-881-4343 or Schedule an Appointment

Causes and risk factors

Although there are many causes and risk factors for this condition, some of the most common are:

  • Structural abnormalities in the airway, skull, or face, or a large neck
  • Enlarged tongue or tonsils
  • Weakness in the airway muscles
  • Obesity
  • Gender, men are more likely to develop this disorder than women
  • Age, adults 40 to 60 are the most common group to develop the disorder
  • Tobacco and alcohol increase the risk of the condition.

Treatment

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea; however, it has a low compliance rate due to inconvenience and discomfort. Oral appliance therapy, available from Dr. Leo Arellano is patient-friendly and effective for many who suffer from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. The device, similar to a mouth guard, supports the jaw or repositions the tongue to prevent the airway from collapsing. Call 415-881-4343 for an appointment today.

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Dr. Arellano has been my dentist since 1989 and I believe he is the best of the best! I have experienced many uncomfortable dental procedures in the past, many due to painful injections. Dr. Arellano has excellent technique in anesthetizing that results in painless injections. He truly cares about his patients and his work. His staff, especially Mei, is extraordinary and will go above and beyond to work in appointments, assist in resolving payment/insurance issues, referrals, etc. Dr. Arellano and his team have always provided excellent care and service over the years. I highly recommend him for your dental care.

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