Westlake Dental Associates is once again bringing smiles to the faces of its patients, safely

By Adam Cook

Dr. Chrys Constantinou, Dr. Jessica Reichard, and Dr. Allyson McClendon, of Westlake Dental Associates, are happy to see their patients again following the unprecedented community-wide shutdown to slow the spread of Covid-19. Amid the challenges of the day, they’re giving their patients a reason to smile.

“It’s nice to see familiar faces,” says Dr. Reichard, who patients might know as Dr. Chrzanowski. “Of course, we’re wearing face masks the whole time, but—I assure you—we’re always smiling. For some, it’s been their first outing in months, and I can’t tell you how much we appreciate their trust in us. Social interaction is part of our health, and their smiles say it all.”

Recently, Dr. Reichard was married in a small, and keeping with the times, socially-distanced ceremony on June 20. The month before, Westlake Dental confidently committed to a phased reopening after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that dentists’ offices could, once again, begin seeing patients for routine dental care.

“Dr. Constantinou’s been an amazing leader and an immensely understanding, compassionate person in these unprecedented times,” says Dr. Reichard. “He always advocates for the people in his practice, even when times are tough, he treats us—and everyone who walks through Westlake Dental’s doors—like family.”

During the shutdown, Dr. Constantinou was there for patients, treating dental emergencies to alleviate the stress of a possibly overwhelmed emergency room visit.

Now, as then, confronted with a novel contagion, Westlake Dental strictly complies with all science-based recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Dr. Constantinou wholeheartedly believes in upholding the best practices of the American Dental Association (ADA).

“In dentistry, a lot of this isn’t new to us,” says Dr. Reichard. “For decades now, dentists have been concerned about preventing the spread of illness. We utilized the shutdown time to make sure we had enough gear and supplies to open up the right way.”

Dentists have long worn the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) many are only getting acquainted with.

Uniquely equipped to confront the challenges of Covid-19, the staff at Westlake Dental works to protect everyone who relies on them.

“From young to old, we’re seeing everyone,” says Dr. McClendon. “The health protocols we have in place are there to keep everyone safe—even people who have health concerns.”

Dr. Constantinou says, “the mouth is the gateway to the body,” because failing to practice good dental hygiene and ignoring issues with teeth and gums can adversely affect overall, long-term health. In much the same way, the extra safeguards amid new challenges lead the way to the best possible outcomes.

The crews that regularly and thoroughly sanitized the building have redoubled their efforts since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Patients answer screening questions when they make their appointment and again when their appointment starts.

First, patients need to check in by either calling or texting. There’s a reminder with the phone number at each numbered parking space. A staff member comes out, takes their temperature, and leads them in and directly back. Face masks are required.

“We have new tools to limit aerosol exposure, and whether it’s touched or not, every little item is scrupulously cleaned before a patient comes in,” says Dr. Reichard.

Westlake Dental is also using a new pre-procedural rinse. The rinse is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and water, which is recommended by the ADA and CDC.

Patients are checked out and scheduled for their next routine or follow-up visit right from the dentist’s chair.

Accordingly, to further facilitate social distancing, Westlake Dental asks patients to limit those who accompany them to their appointment.

“We’re in this together, and we don’t want parents to think they can’t sit with their children,” says Dr. McClendon. “We also know that people often need to rely on others for rides and other reasons, we understand those concerns, and any other concerns a patient might have. At Westlake Dental, we always put the patient first.”

The reason for the new routine rings familiar at Westlake Dental. It’s all about prevention.

“With the disruption in our lives the last few months, we have seen an increase in stress,” says Dr. Reichard. “Stuck at home, maybe there was an increase in snacking, and maybe a decrease in our oral hygiene routine. Maybe we went to bed a few more times without brushing our teeth, understandably so. We’ve seen a lot of people with symptoms of stress clenching. It’s important not to ignore those things and do some preventative maintenance.”

Westlake Dental Associates is located at 25575 Center Ridge Road in Westlake. To request an appointment, call 440-835-8999 or visit WestlakeDentalAssociates.com. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.