

Spring 2023 Newsletter

PureCare Dental was featured in Cascade Business News' article "Learning How to Provide in the COVID Era — Healthcare Providers Share Their Experiences", written by Ronnie Wilde on September 7th 2020. Click here to read the full article
PureCare Dental Office Policies in relation to COVID-19:
Our office has always placed infection control as a top priority, and we will continue to do so. We are following the Center for Disease Control (CDC), American Dental Association (ADA), the Oregon Dental Association (ODA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and protocols.
All scheduled patients, and staff, are asked to notify our office if they develop any Coronavirus, or flu-like, symptoms. Any patient experiencing these symptoms will be rescheduled for a minimum of 14 days out. Any staff member experiencing these symptoms will be required to self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.
Patients are asked to please text or call the office prior to entering the lobby for their appointment. This helps us maintain 6 foot distancing for patients checking in, as well as checking out.
All patients receive a temperature screening upon entering the lobby, and all patients are required to wear a mask, over their mouth and nose, aside from when they are seated in the dental chair and receiving dental treatment. We are also limiting guests – Patients are not permitted to bring a guest with them to their appointment (with the exceptions of parents/guardians, special needs, etc.)
All operatories are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between each patient. All instruments are sterilized for each patient.
All back office staff (hygienists, assistants, and doctors) are equipped with proper PPE (N95 mask with a level 1 mask placed over it, eye protection, gloves, and scrubs). Gloves and masks are changed between each patient. Scrubs and jackets are laundered 2x per day.
We have installed new air purifiers in each operatory, as well as one in the lobby.
Upon entering an operatory, all patients are required to swish with a hydrogen-peroxide rinse to help inactivate viruses, including the Coronavirus.
During all dental cleanings, the hygienist uses “ReLeaf” which is a hands-free high volume suction that reduces the spread of aerosols. Dentists may also use a "Dry-Sheild" system for your dental work, which is similar to "ReLeaf".
We have Plexiglas barriers installed in all check in & check out areas.
Toys, magazines, and the Keurig machine have been removed from the lobby until further notice.
Your safety and health are our primary concerns, and we invite you to ask any questions you may have about the steps we have taken. Thank you for your support and understanding as we all navigate this together.
Sincerely,
Dr Eric Cadwell and Dr Tyler Fix
HealthWorx is a local Bend publication that highlights health-related news. In their Fall/Winter 2017 issue, they wrote an article that highlights PureCare Dental and our innovative membership program. Click on the link to read the article.
Burkhart Dental selected PureCare Dental to be their feature cover story in the Q3 2014 edition of Catalyst Magazine.
PureCare Dental's big Jeep Giveaway was a big success! Ryan and Heidi McHugh walked away with our grand prize of Dr. Cadwell's 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4! Our second place winner was Josh Rodriguez, who won a 70" 3D LED Television!
The McHughs earned the most points through the yearlong contest, which ended November 15, 2013. Points were earned by being a patient at PureCare Dental, liking our Facebook page, and referring family and friends.
Congratulations To Our Jeep Giveaway Winners!
On May 31, 2013, PureCare Dental was recognized by the Bend Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of the 2013 New and Emerging Business of the Year at the annual SAGE Gala Awards. The award was given for the practice growth, high customer satisfaction, and unique business model that PureCare Dental has excelled with over the past 3 years. Dr. Veitschegger and Stephanie were on hand to accept the award. A scan of the complete article is shown here.
For the 178 million adults in the US that have lost at least one tooth, the most common treatment over the past century has been a “bridge”, in which a dentist places a false tooth into the space by connecting it to the adjacent teeth. This has been an excellent treatment that has served patients well for many years, and continues to be used extensively today. However, today’s technologies and materials provide us with more alternatives than ever before, including the use of a “dental implant” to replace a missing tooth in many cases.
A dental implant usually consists of a threaded titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone below the gumline. The bones in our body love titanium, and the implant eventually becomes fused with the bone around it, making a strong new “root” for the tooth. A new crown is then placed on the implant that looks and feels just like the other teeth in the mouth. The procedure is relatively quick and painless, with only mild discomfort around the surgical area for 1-2 days – similar to that of a traditional crown or bridge; however, the benefits are much greater.
Dental implants are very easy to care for, since the new tooth can be brushed and flossed just like normal. There is also reduced risk of new cavities with a dental implant, since it is not attached to the teeth on either side. For the same reason, dental implants are more conservative, since they do not usually require any changes to the adjacent teeth, leaving more of the natural tooth structure untouched. But most importantly, dental implants are also longer lasting and more successful than traditional bridges over time.
According to data published by the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) and others, the average lifespan of a bridge can be just a few years to many decades. The most optimistic studies show that up to 84% of bridges were still in place at 20 years, with the most common cause of failure as cavities in the adjacent teeth. Similar studies of dental implants show a survival rate of approximately 95% over the same time period, most likely owing to the fact that they are easier to clean and care for than bridges.
Of course, a dental implant is not for everyone or every situation. There are still drawbacks, such as increased waiting time. Often, it can take 3-6 months following an implant placement before a crown can be put on. Costs can also vary widely depending on the dentist’s fees and the complexity of the case, but in some dental offices the cost of a complete implant treatment is similar to replacing the same tooth with a bridge. Dental implants are not indicated for patients who have received IV bisphosphonate medications for cancer treatment or osteoporosis, have uncontrolled diabetes or uncontrolled periodontal bone loss. There are also some restrictions for people who have taken pills for osteoporosis treatment, such as Fosamax or Boniva. People that smoke are also 5 times more likely to have a dental implant failure.
However, when used appropriately, a dental implant is an excellent method for replacing missing teeth that is comfortable, low-maintenance, long-lasting, and beautiful. There is a reason that the number of dental implants placed annually in the US has increased more than 10-fold since 1983. It appears that dental implants have become the state of the art in dentistry for replacing missing teeth in many cases.