Dear Patient:
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, 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 safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. 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 patients and staff 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.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Maine Center for Dental Medicine
READ MORE »
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.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
- 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.
- We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and 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.
- Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
- 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.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Maine Center for Dental Medicine
59 Pleasant Street Skowhegan, Maine, ME 04976 Directions
12
Jun
Biologic dentists work with other doctors in Maine to achieve the best health for patients
An internet search of “biologic medicine” returns millions of results. As more people become interested in what Drs. Imam and Khan and their team have known for decades, there is also the potential for misinformation online. References to “biologic” as it relates to health and wellness are tied to consideration of the whole person including body, spirit, mind, and emotions. A cornerstone of the biologic practitioner is to offer approaches that achieve proper balance among these components. Should there be an imbalance in any aspect of life, the patient will not be able to achieve his or her best health.
The American Holistic Health Association boasts providers spanning a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, including medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths, psychiatrists, surgeons, and optometrists. While areas of expertise may differ, biologic practitioners are linked, in part, by the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as Chinese or Oriental medicine, massage, dietary supplements, and herbal medicine. Reportedly, about 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children in this county use CAM.
Biologic practices also focus on healing as a partnership between the patient and the doctor, and any other medical providers that might share responsibility for the patient’s health. The disease does not define the patient, and each approach is focused on identifying and treating the cause, as opposed to just relieving symptoms.
Biologic dentistry
Also known as biological dentistry, biologic dentistry takes into account all of the approaches mentioned above and applies them to oral medicine, specifically. Like other types of biologic doctors in Maine, Dr. Imam and Dr. Khan concentrate on the health of the whole body, recognizing its connection with oral health. Researchers the world over have linked the effects of periodontal infections to systemic inflammation and heart health. Biologic dentists also consider the effects of materials and procedures on whole-body health. Dr. Imam and Khan are constantly refining techniques and are sensitive to dental advances to assure that work done improves health and does no harm to the patient.
To optimize oral health and quality of your life, the dental team only uses non-metal, amalgam-free materials. The team is knowledgeable about how to safely remove conventional amalgam fillings that contain mercury. Some dentists don’t use amalgam, but they are not properly trained to minimize the effects of vapors released during the process of removing old fillings, in order to replace them with beautiful and safe tooth-colored restorations.
The Maine Center for Dental Medicine’s on-staff nutritionist offers counseling to keep your teeth, gums, and body healthy. By getting to know you as a person, and not merely your teeth, a personalized program may be created to optimize oral and systemic wellness. Other dental interventions may be recommended as well, including preventive appliances like customized mouth guards and alternatives to fluoride, such as xylitol.
Discover a biologic approach to dental care. Schedule an appointment by calling (207) 808-7355.
Share this Article
LinkedinA graduate from New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Mohammed Imam began his practice in Nigeria and moved to the United Kingdom to continue his training in Oral & Maxillofacial Residency.
With over 30 years of expertise Dr. Imam regularly updates himself on modern techniques and methods whilst continuing to invest and perform procedures using the best technology and equipment to ensure his patients receive the best and most bio-compatible oral care possible.
Dr. Imam’s areas of specialty include implant dentistry, TMD and Orofacial pain. He is also SMART certified and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.
An alumnus of New York University, Dr. Shafiulla Khan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained over his 35 plus years of practicing dentistry. He is well known for his passion to improve his patients’ lives with his service. While being a SMART certified professional, Dr. Khan’s areas of specialty includes Tempro-mandibular Disorders, TMJ therapy and smile make overs. He remains a prestigious member of the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) amongst many others.
MCDM is continuing to protect our patients and staff from Covid-19. We ask that you postpone your appointment for 10-14 days if you or your household member are in the following categories:
Due to Governor Mills' change in the travel policy, patients who have traveled to NH, MA, CT, RI or VT do not need to quarantine. Therefore, patients that have traveled to or from these states do not need to delay their appointment with us. If you have traveled to or from any other state (or country) not listed above, the quarantine restrictions still apply.
As of 3/16/21, our front door will be unlocked. If you are a patient that has an appointment, you may enter 5 minutes prior to your appointment and undergo a covid screening upon entry. Others that do not have an appointment must call before entry. Anyone entering the building must wear a mask or scarf covering their mouth and nose.
Thank You,
- If you or your household member have been advised to quarantine due to Covid-19.
- If you or your household member have been in contact with someone who is being tested and do not yet have their results back, or if the results are back and they tested positive.
- If you or your household member are being tested for Covid-19, or have been tested and have a positive result.
- As always, if you do not know if you have been exposed and are not feeling well, please call us to reschedule.
Due to Governor Mills' change in the travel policy, patients who have traveled to NH, MA, CT, RI or VT do not need to quarantine. Therefore, patients that have traveled to or from these states do not need to delay their appointment with us. If you have traveled to or from any other state (or country) not listed above, the quarantine restrictions still apply.
As of 3/16/21, our front door will be unlocked. If you are a patient that has an appointment, you may enter 5 minutes prior to your appointment and undergo a covid screening upon entry. Others that do not have an appointment must call before entry. Anyone entering the building must wear a mask or scarf covering their mouth and nose.
Thank You,