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:

  • 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.

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 (509) 485-8620 or visit our website at www.drweigand.com

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

Sincerely,
Richard D. Weigand, DDS

Read More »
Smiling woman

The search for a mercury free dentist in Spokane, WA is over! Rebuild your smile, the healthy way

While the use of metals including mercury, known as amalgams, in dentistry can be traced back to ancient China, it wasn’t until the 1830s that the English-born Crawcour family introduced this filling material to patients in the United States. Dental amalgam or “silver” fillings (due to their silver-colored hue), have represented a controversial restorative material ever since. Richard D. Weigand, DDS has accounted for the credible and large body of research that links dental amalgams to symptoms of mercury poisoning. In turn, Dr. Weigand is a mercury free dentist in Spokane, WA. He only uses safe materials, products, and techniques to restore or preserve oral health. The use of “silver” fillings is simply not a good fit with Dr. Weigand’s other services and principles.

Mercury Free Dentist by Visiting Richard D Weigand DDS Clinic in Spokane WA Area

Complementary care for lasting health

Dr. Weigand has designed a practice with patients’ utmost comfort, convenience, satisfaction, and well-being at its heart. The placement of amalgam fillings at Richard D. Weigand, DDS would be in direct conflict with these principles. Far and away, amalgams contain more elemental mercury than any other material – at around 50% by weight. Mercury is a known toxin. Mercury fillings are associated with bioaccumulation, which is another way of saying that the toxin builds up and its concentration steadily increases in bodily organs, such as the kidneys, and tissues over time.

Additionally, mercury is released as a vapor during the process of removing silver-colored amalgam fillings. As vapors are introduced, they pose threats to the health of the patient, dentist, staff, and the environment. For this reason, Dr. Weigand is also proud to be a “mercury safe” dentist. His practice has invested in safeguards, precautions, and related training to minimize mercury exposure during the removal process.

Dr. Weigand’s patients not only have peace of mind that their new BPA-free, metal-free, and mercury-free composite fillings are safe. But they also love how these fillings look – just like natural tooth structure! These color-matched restorations are also durable enough for back teeth, and don’t corrode like their metal counterparts. And they’re a great fit with Dr. Weigand’s emphasis on “conservative dentistry,” as composites preserve more tooth structure than metals.

These and other materials, such as dental ceramics like porcelain, may be used to build inlays, onlays (partial crowns), and full-coverage crowns. Call Richard D. Weigand, DDS at (509) 485-8620 to schedule your appointment at the mercury-free and mercury-safe office in Spokane, WA.

Share this Article

Back to Blog Page

Dr. Richard Weigand

Richard D. Weigand, DDS

Dr. Richard Weigand is trusted and respected by the communities in Spokane, WA for his skill and expertise and his genuine concern for patients. He has won numerous accolades for his services.

He is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and World Clinical Laser Institute and a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Spokane District Dental Society, and Washington State Dental Association. He is certified with the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies, Pacific Aesthetic Continuum (Live), World Clinical Laser Institute, and the Spear Center in Scottsdale, AZ. He is also co-founder of the Spokane Practice Management Club.

Dr. Weigand shares his knowledge and experience through journal and magazine articles and media interviews. He has also contributed to many community projects.
Read More Stories