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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What is Preventive Dentistry?

What is Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is one way to help keep and maintain a healthy smile. Instead of being reactive about your oral health care (taking care of problems as they occur), preventive dentistry encompasses the idea of being more proactive about your oral health. This means that by taking care of your teeth, you can avoid having more and more expensive dental work done because of the fewer problems that may occur by regularly caring for your mouth.

Preventive dentistry is one way to avoid oral diseases that result in loss of teeth and the need for expensive oral surgery. It is typically taught to individuals as soon as they start visiting the dentist when they are approximately two to three years old. Pediatric dentists focus on teaching children preventive dentistry in the hopes that they will practice good oral health habits and have minimal problems with their teeth. Many adults need to be reminded of good oral health practices as well to avoid expensive surgeries and procedures.

Preventive dentistry includes a number of habits that should be a part of everyone’s daily lifestyle. Brushing at least twice daily and flossing well at least once a day is recommended, as is using fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities and gum disease. Scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings to address any potential problems is also recommended. If an individual has gum disease and lets it go without going to a dentist for a checkup, they have the chance of losing their teeth and requiring oral or gum surgery to fix and restore their smile with restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

We are here to help Call us at 415-881-4343 or Schedule an Appointment

Dr. Arellano can help you pave the way to a healthy smile. If you are in the San Francisco area and want to learn how to be more proactive in your dental care, call Dr. Arellano and schedule a consultation appointment to start taking charge of your health care.

 

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

A missing lower front tooth replaced by a fixed all-ceramic bonded bridge. (a removable stayplate)

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Crowns - Bridges – BNA Image – 17 - 2
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What our patients are saying...

originally posted on Google
5.0

I’ve been going to Dr. Arellano for about 20 years and I continue because of the excellent care and treatment I get with him and his whole office team. He is both professional and personable.
Recently I had a newer technique of gum surgery/grafting at his office called, “Pinhole Surgical Technique of gum grafting.” I personally found this to be much easier to handle than the other style of gum grafting that I received years ago for the other side of my mouth. That worked, it was where part of my roof of my mouth was cut and surgically sewn onto the gum. However, I much prefer the pinhole technique. It was actually the easiest dental work I’ve had (beyond regular cleaning) It didn’t take too long and it didn’t feel uncomfortable getting it done.... More Reviews