COVID-19 Updates

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June 2023

We strictly maintain sterilization and cross contamination processes to conform to rigorous standards in accordance with the ADA (American Dental Association), OSHA and CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines. Our priority is the safety and protection of our patients and our staff! Learn more about how we work hard to keep our staff and our patients safe!


May 18, 2020

We Are Open! We are so happy to be back at work serving our community! We would like you to be aware of our new patient protocols and some of the measures we have taken to insure the continued health of ourselves and our patients.

If you’re interested in learning more about the measures we’ve taken to resume practicing dentistry:

Dr. Kristie Lake wearing her PPE at Drews Dental Services in Lewiston, Maine
No one knows what I look like anymore! 🙂
1. We are asking all patients to wait in their cars in the parking lot, alerting us that they are here via phone or text. We will then call you when we are ready to seat you! This prevents us from having people seated in the waiting room with others at less than 6 feet distance.
2. We are screening our patients at the door to be sure there is no history of recent travel or symptoms of the virus. There will be a team member taking temperatures as you enter the building.
3. We are also asking patients to wear their face coverings when they come in the office until they are seated in the treatment room. (We’re mandated in Maine to do that!
4. All our staff will be wearing KN95 masks (equivalent of N95 masks) at all times, with fabric masks placed over them which we will change with each patient. We additionally have face shields for our clinical team who will generate aerosols when performing procedures like fillings and cleanings with the Cavitron.
5. High volume evacuation units are essential when containing the spread of viruses which are aerosolized. Rubber dams with high speed suction minimize the amount of aerosols generated. Additionally, we have Iso-lite units available now in all rooms, including the hygienists’ rooms. The Isolite system is the rubber piece you bite on which suctions for us as the water is being sprayed which helps to quickly reduce the aerosols generated during the procedure. 
6. Each room is properly disinfected as per our usual universal precautions, using Cavicide, which has been clinically shown to kill human corona virus.
7. We have Surgically Clean Air filtration systems which are strategically placed throughout the office, which use a 6 stage filtration and sterilization process to remove odors, gases, allergens, and viruses from the air.
8. Plexiglass has been installed at the front desk/reception areas as well to minimize any exchange which occurs at less than 6 feet distance.
At this time protocols may be drastically changing in our dental world, but we’ll always be here for our patients.
Please know that we are taking all precautions seriously to keep our staff and our patients safe.
It’s a challenging time for us all, but together we will make it through. We are doing our best to keep you updated and will let you know as things change.

April 27, 2020

Hoping to be open May 4th!

We have spent many long weeks away from our patients for elective care in accordance with recommendations from the CDC, Governor Mills’ office, the American Dental Association and the Maine Dental Association. This allowed for conservation of PPE (personal protective equipment) and provided appropriate social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

As we get ready to reopen for elective treatment, we would like you to be aware of our new patient protocols and some of the measures we have taken to insure the continued health of ourselves and our patients.

dental assistants wearing masks and holding various cleaning supplies
1. We are asking all patients to wait in their cars in the parking lot, alerting us that they are here via phone or text. We will then call you when we are ready to seat you! This prevents us from having people seated in the waiting room with others at less than 6 feet distance.
2. We are also screening our patients at the door to be sure there is no history of recent travel or symptoms of the virus. There will be a team member taking temperatures as you enter the building.
3. All our staff will be wearing KN95 masks (equivalent of N95 masks) at all times, with fabric masks placed over them which we will change with each patient. We additionally have face shields for our clinical team who will generate aerosols when performing procedures like fillings and cleanings with the Cavitron.
4. High volume evacuation units are essential when containing the spread of viruses which are aerosolized. Rubber dams with high speed suction minimize the amount of aerosols generated. Additionally, we have Iso-lite units available now in all rooms, including the hygienists’ rooms. The Isolite system is the rubber piece you bite on which suctions for us as the water is being sprayed which helps to quickly reduce the aerosols generated during the procedure. 
5. Each room is properly disinfected as per our usual universal precautions, using Cavicide, which has been clinically shown to kill human corona virus.
6. We have Surgically Clean Air filtration systems which are strategically placed throughout the office, which use a 6 stage filtration and sterilization process to remove odors, gases, allergens, and viruses from the air.
7. Plexiglass has been installed at the front desk/reception areas as well to minimize any exchange which occurs at less than 6 feet distance.

We are looking forward to reopening for routine procedures on May 4th, or as early as legally possible. We have missed you all terribly and hope to see you very soon for your next scheduled appointment, albeit as safely as possible.  🙂 


April 6, 2020

We had originally planned to resume normal office hours today for everyone but we are all now hoping and planning to be back at work helping all of our patients on May 4th.

We miss seeing our patients but we are still here for you if you have a dental emergency. Just call 207-782-5308 and listen to the recording if you need help. Let’s keep our ERs free.

We hope everyone stays safe!


March 17, 2020

Over the course of the last 24 hours the situation has been changing, the (MDA) Maine Dental Association and Janet Mills have suggested/recommended that all elective procedures be postponed at this time.

With the recommendation we have decided that we will be temporarily closed for the next 14 days to do our part in reducing the spread of (COVID-19).

We will be closed March 19th to April 6th, we will then reevaluate the situation, know that this is a hard decision but it is in the best interest for staff, patients, and the community.

For patients with dental emergencies we will have our clinical staff on call. We value our patients and will address any emergency situation as it arises. For help, please call the office and 207-782-5308 and listen to the recording.

For non-emergency patients – please bear with us as we will be in touch with you to re-schedule your appointments.

We will re-evaluate the situation in two weeks and plan to open at the end of the month.

Thank you to all our patients for understanding.

As we all go through a time like this, as a community we will all rally together to get through this period of unknown.

Thank you,

Drews Dental Services