Progressive Dentistry

12/20/2024

Fun times at the holiday dinner with the best team a patient could ask for.

12/20/2024

The Team had a great shopping spree at Walt Whitman Shops, courtesy of Dr Levy, and a holiday dinner at Gastronomy.

08/06/2022

CAN YOU TRUST YOUR DENTIST & COVID UPDATE

CAN YOU TRUST YOUR DENTIST?
There's an interesting article in this month's Consumer Reports entitled "Read This Before Your Next Trip to the Dentist." Headlines like that can send a shiver through the spines of some dental professionals. Not ours!

It is important that there be a mutual bond of trust between patient and doctor. We respect that you are entitled to a clear explanation as to why a procedure is necessary and any appropriate alternatives. In our office, we welcome your questions so that you can be comfortable making an informed decision regarding your dental care.

The article has a link to an informative web page on DSO's, Dental Services Organizations, such as Dental 365 and The Smilist. The article on this page is both enlightening and disturbing. It is well worth reading:

DECEPTIVE MARKETING, MEDICAID FRAUD, AND UNNECESSARY ROOT CANALS ON BABIES:

https://pestakeholder.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PESP_DSO_July2021.pdf



COVID UPDATES

Your health and safety are always foremost in our minds. Please be aware that in New York State face masks are required to be properly worn in all healthcare facilities. If you do not have one, please call us and we will be happy to meet you at our door and give you a mask. Thanks!

EVUSHELD
Approximately 7 million Americans have compromised immune systems that leave them particularly at risk for severe COVID infections. These individuals qualify for Evusheld, made by AstraZeneca. Evusheld is an antibody cocktail which enhances our immune defenses against the virus. The treatment is recommended in combination with a full set of Covid vaccines and boosters.

According to what I’ve been able to read, some doctors are unaware of it. Initially, it was in very short supply. AstraZeneca has provided 1.7 million doses to the US government. It is free to patients through their healthcare providers.

BIVALENT BOOSTERS
Pfizer and Moderna are working on bivalent boosters made up of both the old formula and a new one that targets Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Assuming they meet FDA standards, the new vaccines should be available in September.

The question remains whether enough individuals will get them in time before another subvariant breaks out and before flu season this fall. Ideally, a public health campaign needs to be established to encourage people to get both the flu vaccine and the new bivalent booster at the same time.

ENJOY THE REST OF THE SUMMER AND STAY HEALTHY!

Warmest regards,

Steve Levy DMD
516-378-8600
MerrickDentistry.com
2565 Beverly Rd
Merrick, NY 11566

Progressive Dentistry in Merrick, NY provides general & cosmetic dentistry services, including dental implants, veneers, teeth whitening, and more.

01/19/2022

YOUR WELL-BEING IS OUR PRIORITY

My team and I want to wish our family of patients only good things and great health for 2022. A new year usually brings a fresh start and a bright outlook, but many are anxious and concerned for their families. This is understandable given the prevailing atmosphere.

These are unprecedented and trying times for our country. We all need to feel that we are comfortable and safe when we visit our healthcare providers. My team and I want to reassure you that our office is such a place.

In the 2 years that our lives have been engulfed by the pandemic, we have had zero incidents of transmission in our office, and no Team members, me included, have taken ill. We screen every patient before they enter the building and no one enters unless they are feeling well and properly wearing a mask.

The office has a high flow HVAC system equipped with a HEPA filter capable of filtering out particles as small as a virus. Each treatment room has two oversized medical grade air purifiers, also equipped with HEPA filters. One even has a UV light that aids in destroying viral particles.

Each treatment room has disposable barrier tape on all dental equipment touch surface which are changed between patients. The rooms are thoroughly disinfected between patients and everything that goes in your mouth is either sterilized or disposable. Additionally, every week an independent lab tests our sterilizers to make sure they are working properly.

CONTINUING EDUCATION &

CONTINUING Z00M

I love taking new courses and learning about the best of the latest techniques and equipment. It enables my Team and I to always provide you with exceptional dentistry and service.

Like many of our children, us dentists predominantly have switched to remote learning. Sitting in a full lecture hall, and then a crowded luncheon is out of my comfort zone. On the other hand, the convenience of sitting with a laptop computer allows me to take more courses as I no longer need to travel. Plus, I’m able to sit on my bed accompanied by our 3 dogs. Three dogs? That’s another story!

Being a “car nut” I do miss the drives to Boston or wherever an out of state course might be given. Zoom, of course, cannot replace the camaraderie among colleagues. We all need to adapt for the time being and get on with our lives.

COLD – COVID – FLU

WHICH IS IT?

You wake up one day with sniffles, congestion, a scratchy throat and maybe a cough. What do you have? Should you take a test? Last year the flu season was non-existent. This year it’s in full swing as more people are congregating indoors and without masks.

If you have the 4 above symptoms it can be difficult to diagnose what you have without a test. This is particularly true among those fully vaccinated. Losing your sense of taste and smell indicates you have COVID. However, this symptom is less prevalent with omicron than it was with delta.

Fever, chills, and body ache are symptomatic of influenza, but those who have COVID can have those symptoms too. Presently, omicron is so pervasive that it is best to assume that you have corona virus.

A rapid test is fairly reliable if you’ve been sick for a day or two. Rapid tests require a certain viral load in the nose to be accurate. Therefore, it is not a good screening test for those who are asymptomatic.

Most importantly, you don’t want to spread your illness to others, regardless of the final diagnosis. While ill, until you’ve gotten your results from a PCR test or a second rapid test you should isolate.

Wishing you all good health!

Steve Levy DMD

[email protected]

​516-378-8600

https://www.merrickdentistry.com/patient-information/infection-control/coronavirus-enhanced-precautions/

Progressive Dentistry in Merrick, NY provides general & cosmetic dentistry services, including dental implants, veneers, teeth whitening, and more.

10/21/2021

Happy office Bridal Shower to our wonderful Fallon! Best wishes for a wonderful marriage!

10/19/2021

How We Protect Your Personal Information
Our office far surpasses the usual precautions to protect your health, and also your privacy and personal information. One of the premiere IT companies on Long Island constantly monitors our computer network to keep your information out of nefarious hands. Your health information, personal data, dental history and x-rays are continuously backed up on our dedicated server and by a secure cloud service. None of your credit card or financial information is kept on record.

Ransomware

As has been in the news this year, criminal enterprises from other nations are using malicious software, called ransomware, to infect computer networks and block access until a ransom is paid. Until recently, money has been extorted mainly from large corporations with deep pockets. Now, criminals are going after the "low hanging fruit" consisting of medical and dental practices. Knowing that small businesses do not have the legal clout or political connections as do large corporations, they are now preying on healthcare professionals who are desperate to resolve the crisis.

We have in place special systems and firewalls to prevent that from happening at Progressive Dentistry. Your information is safe with us.

Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shots

Those of you who get Newsday may have read that recent research has shown that the Pfizer vaccine's protection from "breakthough" infections erodes dramatically with time. While it is 88% effective in its first month, it falls to just 47% after 5 months. On the other hand, it has proven to be 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations for as long as 6 months. The study also showed that it was waning immunity and not the delta variant that was the reason for a rise in breakthough infections.

Who Should Get Booster Shots?

The CDC has posted guidelines on its website as to who should receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shots:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

Moderna and J&J Boosters?

Both companies have submitted requests to the FDA for emergency use authorization of their COVID-19 booster shots. The review process includes a sign off by both the FDA and the CDC. If both agencies give the go-ahead, Americans could begin getting J&J and Moderna boosters later this month.

Our Office Protocol Has Not Changed

Even though the majority of you have been vaccinated, the delta variant is incredibly infectious. We hear of individuals getting breakthrough infections who have been fully vaccinated. Because we want you to be safe when you visit us, our Team is fastidious in protecting your health. Please remain in your car and call us when you arrive. When we tell you we are ready, enter the building properly wearing a mask.

THANK YOU

We want to thank you for your referral of friends and family. The confidence you have placed in our office is truly gratifying. Also, we very much appreciate the glowing reviews you have given us online.

Wishing you and your families good health.

Steve Levy DMD

[email protected]

516-378-8600

https://www.merrickdentistry.com

08/22/2021

HAND SANITZERS

The following article, written by Scott Froum, DDS, is from the Perio-Implant Advisory website. I thought it was a timely article. I've seen many of our patients with anxiety about public touch surfaces.

Statistics show that an individual touches their face 16 times an hour on average. When you are out in public make a conscious effort to NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. When you return home wash your hands thoroughly with plenty of soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

COVID will be with us from now on. Being cautious about touching your face will not only help prevent you from contracting this virus, but help in preventing you from catching the common cold, flu and other illnesses.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust disinfectant hand sanitizers into the forefront of hygiene rituals to protect against disease transmission. In the United States alone, sales of hand sanitizer jumped 600% in 2020 to become a $1.3 billion industry. Most of this craze buying was the result of an article published in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, showing that SARS-CoV-2 had the ability to live on some surfaces for hours and other surfaces for days. Unfortunately, much of the data gained from this study has since been deemed both unrealistic and unreproducible. The lab study used large, unrealistic amounts of virus in nonreal-life settings in a vacuum with no air exchange. Since the study’s publication, newer studies have cautioned against concluding that COVID-19 can be transmitted by surfaces infected with the virus.

Most recent studies have shown that although the virus can be found on surfaces, they are not infectious and do not represent the major source of disease transmission. Although the theory of surface transmission had not been fully reproduced by other research teams outside the laboratory setting, the media began to publicize these results, and the surface disinfectant market in the US grew by 30% to become a $4.5 billion industry.

The problem

Because of supply and demand, companies that typically did not make products such as hand sanitizer started to produce it at mass quantity levels with temporary authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With so many new companies manufacturing hand sanitizer, combined with an unregulated black market, incidents of contamination and toxicity poisoning started to climb. Toxicity issues have been reported as companies began to substitute methanol for isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol, resulting in death.

In addition, the FDA announced a major recall of hand sanitizers due to contamination with high levels of Burkholderia cepacia complexand Ralstonia pickettii, which can lead to serious infections including infection of the skin, soft tissues, lungs, or bloodstream. Incidences of bacterial transmission from doctors who use this hand sanitizer to immunocompromised patients have been reported.

Toxicity has also been reported from hand sanitizer due to overuse. Because most hand sanitizers contain alcohol at a concentration of 60%–95%, common side effects of overuse—especially in children—include dermatitis, dry skin, intestinal issues, and alcohol poisoning. In the first five months of 2020, more than 9,500 cases of alcohol poisoning were reported in children under age 12 due to alcohol in hand sanitizer.

A safer alternative
Washing hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds has always been the gold standard of hygiene and safety, particularly for children younger than 12. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning in children that is responsible for confusion, vomiting, drowsiness, and, in severe cases, respiratory arrest and death.

If hand sanitizer must be used, make sure you evaluate the active and inactive ingredients. Although there are no studies on frequency of use for hand sanitizer, a general rule of thumb is once an hour unless your job dictates increased frequency. For the makeup of hand sanitizer, isopropyl alcohol should be in the range of 65%–95%, and ethyl alcohol should ideally be 80% or higher. If you are using hand sanitizer multiple times a day—as is the case with many health-care providers/dental professionals—it would be beneficial for your hand sanitizer to contain skin care elements.

Stella Life makes a hand sanitizer that contains 80% ethanol and hydrogen peroxide with aloe vera, frankincense oil, lavender oil, lemongrass oil, tea tree oil, and vitamin E oil (figure 2). In addition, Stella Life hand sanitizer contains no methanol, dyes, triclosan, parabens, or phthalates, which can lead to dermatitis and toxicity. In conclusion, nothing beats soap and water!

COVID FACTS UPDATE

The Delta variant of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown to be nearly 2 1/2 times as infectous as the original virus we were previously dealing with. It now accounts for over 83% of the COVID cases in the US, and greater than 90% in some areas of the country.

The Delta variant is affecting a younger population, including children. 50% of the COVID cases in Florida are those 50 years of age and younger.

Presently, nearly all deaths in the US due to COVID are among the unvaccinated.

"Breakthrough" infections in fully vaccinated people account for only 1.1% of the hospitalizations.

98% to 99% of Americans dying from COVID are unvaccinated.

All three available vaccines have shown excellent effectiveness against the Delta variant. After 6 months the Moderna vaccine's effective against developing severe illness drops from 95% to 93%. Pfizer-BioNTech drops from 95% to 84% after 6 months. In a recent South African study, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has shown to be 71% effective against hospitalizations and 96% effective in preventing deaths from the Delta variant. I've been unable to find a reliable source regarding its drop in effectiveness after 6 months.

However, there seems to be a general consensus that we will be needing a booster shot at some point in the future. The World Health Organization feels that wealthy nations should not be giving booster shots until the shortfall in vaccine supplies and distribution is addressed in poorer nations. What do you think?

No vaccine is 100% effective. Vaccine immune-boosting capabilities varies from one individual to another. Those with compromised immune systems may not get as strong a protective response as others.

Wearing a mask in crowds and indoor places is not just to protect the unvaccinated, children under 12 included, it's also to protect those for whom the vaccine was not as effective. That individual might even be you or your child or another loved one!

INFLUENZA

COVID may never go away. The remnants of the Pandemic of 1918 virus (Spanish Flu) are still with us today as part of our influenza virus. Did you notice that last winter the "flu season" was practically non-existent due to mask wearing and social distancing?

A shortcoming of traditional vaccines is their slow and complex manufacturing process. In the 6 months it takes to use chicken eggs to produce the flu vaccine, the influenza virus frequently mutates. This renders the vaccine produced for that season less effective.

Pfizer, Moderna, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi and others are working on a messenger RNA vaccine against the influenza virus as they are simpler and quicker to make. This is why the COVID vaccines can be manufactured so efficiently.

In the future, an mRNA vaccine producing facility may be able to produce vaccines for many different diseases quickly and with great cost savings.

OUR INFECTION CONTROL PROTOCOL

My office shall remain meticulous in following all infection control protocol set forth by the American Dental Association, the NYS Dental Association and the CDC.

Please call us from your car when you arrive. We will tell you when you may enter the building wearing a mask.

We will call you the day before your appointment to make sure you are well. Do not come for your appointment if you are feeling sick in any way. We will make a follow-up call 2 days after your appointment to be sure you are still healthy and comfortable after your visit.

For information on our office infection control protocol please click the link below:

https://www.merrickdentistry.com/patient-information/infection-control/coronavirus-enhanced-precautions/

Wishing you all good health!

Steve Levy DMD
516-378-8600
[email protected]

Progressive Dentistry in Merrick, NY provides general & cosmetic dentistry services, including dental implants, veneers, teeth whitening, and more.

07/04/2021

A SILENT BYPRODUCT OF THE PANDEMIC

Pandemic stress and anxiety are causing a spike in chipped and cracked teeth. More than 70 percent of dentists surveyed by the American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute are seeing an increase of patients experiencing teeth grinding and clenching (also known as bruxism), conditions often associated with stress.

60 percent of dentists saw an increase in other stress-related dental conditions besides chipped and cracked teeth, including TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) symptoms such as headaches and jaw pain. TMD is also commonly referred to as TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

As I frequently see in our practice, most patients are unaware that they have a problem clenching or grinding until someone (myself, or our highly qualified hygienists) points it out during an exam or emergency visit. Occasionally, one’s spouse or partner may notice that you’re grinding your teeth while sleeping.

Clenching and grinding teeth are different things. Clenching is simply forceful, silent pressure on the jaws and teeth between the top and lower rows. Grinding occurs when the lower jaw is tightened and moves sideways against the upper jaw.

Most people who crack a tooth think it happened because of something they ate. In reality, the process takes time. Grinding and clenching causes wear and structural weakness in teeth over time, but at the moment, whatever you’re eating may seem like it caused the break.

Early warning signs that you may be clenching or grinding your teeth include jaw pain, headaches, sore or loose teeth, earache, temperature sensitive teeth. Sleep apnea also causes tooth grinding.

Treatment for clenching and grinding may include being self-aware during the day, having us make you a comfortable custom night guard when you sleep, and sometimes a referral to a physical therapist to help alleviate painful symptoms.

If you are suffering from TMD, clenching or grinding, please call our office. We can help!

THE DELTA VARIANT IS A GROWING THREAT TO UNVACCINATED PEOPLE

The Delta variant, first identified in India and is known as B.167.2, has been described by infectious disease specialists as the original coronavirus on steroids. It takes half the exposure time to get you sicker and has a potentially higher death rate.

It now represents over 26% of the cases nationally, up from less than 6% in the beginning of June, with the percentage of Delta cases doubling every 2 weeks. This new variant is 75% more contagious than the original. The average person infected with the original strain will infect 2.5 other individuals. In the same environment, the Delta variant can spread to 3.5 to 4 other people.

People who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 are most at risk. A recent study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under age 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta. So far, no vaccine has been approved for children 5 to 12 in the United States. Delta seems to be impacting younger age groups more than previous variants.

The Delta variant has been deemed to be the greatest threat to controlling the pandemic here and around the world. Despite strides we have made in the United States in combating COVID-19, the 7 day infection rate is up 10% due mostly to populations of unvaccinated individuals in states where the vaccination rates are lagging.

A study in Denmark showed the Delta variant was about twice as likely to result in hospitalizations in unvaccinated individuals.

From what I’ve read in various articles, immunity from mRNA vaccines such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Modena have shown to be approximately 88% effective against systemic disease (getting sick) and 96% effective against hospitalizations. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has also shown to be effective, but somewhat less.

THEREFORE, LET ME BE CLEAR, IF YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED YOUR RISK IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN VACCINATED. YOU ARE SAFER THAN YOU WERE BEFORE YOU GOT YOUR VACCINES, BUT YOU STILL HAVE A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING SICK AND BEING HOSPITALIZED! SO DON’T THINK YOU ARE NOW SUPERMAN OR SUPERWOMAN!

Inci Yildirim, MD, PHD, a Yale pediatric infectious disease specialist and vaccinologist, says, “If it is sunny and you’ll be outdoors, you put on sunscreen. If you are in a crowded gathering, potentially with unvaccinated people, you put your mask on and keep social distancing. If you are unvaccinated and eligible for the vaccine, the best thing you can do is to get vaccinated.”

OUR OFFICE CONTINUES TO FOLLOW ALL COVID-19 INFECTION CONTROL GUIDELINES AS WE HAVE SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN

https://www.merrickdentistry.com/patient-information/infection-control/coronavirus-enhanced-precautions/

Have a safe and healthy July 4th!

Warmest regards,

Dr. Steve Levy

516-378-8600

[email protected]

06/03/2021

https://www.merrickdentistry.com/photo-gallery/ COSMETIC DENTISTRY can give you the look you always wanted. If you are self conscious about your smile Dr. Steve Levy can help. Pictured are unedited before and after photos recently taken with an iPhone 10 in our office. We want to make a positive difference in your life by listening to your concerns, your fears and your goals. Click the above link to our photo gallery and the precautions we are taking to ensure your health during these times. Please give us a call!

516-378-8600
2565 Beverly Rd, Merrick
At the corner of Merrick Rd and Babylon Tpke.

Monday 9 to 4:30
Tuesday & Wednesday 12 to 9
Thursday & Friday 8 to 4:30

02/01/2021

SNOW DAY – VACCINES - MUTATIONS

SNOW DAY!

So much for the initial forecast of one to three inches of snow as we deal with a winter Nor-easter. I doubt we’ll have office hours tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2 either.

As your dental providers await our second round of vaccinations, I thought I’d share some of the information I’ve read regarding the vaccines. This information is by no means complete. I’m also not able to cover all aspects as I have to go shovel…..

PROGRESSIVE DENTISTRY & SAFE PRACTICES

For your safety, we continue to follow recommended COVID safety protocols and more. Our building has 2 HEPA filters in the heating and ventilation system which are changed every 3 months. Each treatment room also has 2 oversized HEPA and UV air filtration units. Your health is our primary concern.

For further details on our infection control practices check out our website:
https://www.merrickdentistry.com/patient-information/infection-control/coronavirus-enhanced-precautions/

VACCINES AND MUTATIONS

Dogs bark. Cats meow. Pigeons p**p! Viruses mutate. The more individuals that become infected, the greater the chance of spontaneous mutation. Hence, the new COVID variants in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil. These variants are now popping up in the US. The UK variant is in approximately 33 states, the Brazilian in Minnesota, and the South African in Maryland and South Carolina.

SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, has been acquiring mutations at a rate of 1 to 2 per month. The coronavirus strain from Wuhan, China is not the same coronavirus circulating in the US and other parts of the world.

This is why it is so important for the US to vaccinate as many people as possible as fast as possible. The less people infected, the less the chance of mutation. The more individuals vaccinated, the less the chance of spread.

HOW LONG WILL IMMUNITY LAST?

Only time will tell. Moderna and Pfizer believe their vaccines will last at least a year, however, they most likely will have to be administered annually. It is possible that immunity may last 2 to 3 years, but this will have to be determined by conducting studies of people who have received the vaccine. Immunity lessons as antibody levels drop in response to a lack of infection.

Most vaccines have a specific duration of immunity that can last for a few months to decades. The seasonal influenza vaccine that lasts only for several months is at one end of the spectrum. The measles vaccine, which immunizes against measles for life, represents the other end.

NEW VARIANTS

The United Kingdom mutation was previously thought not be more lethal than the original strain. However, it has since been determined to be 30% more lethal to those infected and spread 2 to 2 ½ times more rapidly than the original virus. In the US, the UK variant is currently found in over half the states. It is projected to become the dominant strain in this country by April.

VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he was less concerned about the UK strain, because studies show that the existing vaccines seemed to work against it, than he was about other versions of the virus, which have emerged in South Africa and Brazil. These strains have mutations that mean the current crop of vaccines might not work as well against them. It is believed that they will be effective in preventing severe illness and death to those that become infected.

Moderna’s lab testing of blood samples of those vaccinated has consistently shown antibody levels high enough to neutralize new viral variants. These tests have not yet been done against live mutant viruses. In the meantime, Moderna is developing a third booster dose to the existing vaccine to increase immune response to the new variants.

I’m sure that Pfizer is also doing similar studies and work on their vaccine.

Stay well!

Steve Levy DMD
516-378-8600
[email protected]

2565 Beverly Rd, Merrick, NY
On the corner of Merrick Rd and Babylon Tpke

01/17/2021

INVALUABLE INFORMATION ON COVID-19 VACCINATION

STAYING SAFE

Your Dental Team at Progressive Dentistry has spent the last week getting our first round of COVID-19 vaccinations. Even for us who were in 1a, the first group, scheduling was stressful. In the coming weeks, I’m certain that vaccine availability and scheduling will greatly improve with renewed cooperation between federal, state governments and the drug manufacturers.

Side effects from the vaccine were minor: a few of us felt a little tired for a day, fleeting sensations of feeling a bit chilled or headachy, and minor soreness in the arm that received the injection.

A MUST-READ SHORT ARTICLE:

HOW MUCH PROTECTION DOES COVID-19 VACCINATION OFFER?

HOW VACCINATED PEOPLE SHOULD APPROACH SEEING OTHERS

This article, courtesy of ABC 7 Eyewitness News

https://abc7chicago.com/health/q-a-how-much-protection-does-the-covid-19-vaccine-offer/9558108/

MYTHS DEBUNKED
FROM THE QUEENS COUNTY DENTAL SOCIETY

This article was passed on to me by my good friend, and patient, orthodontist Dr. Matt Nissenbaum. Thanks, Matt! Very informative:

MYTH: This vaccine was done too fast so safety must be compromised.

FACT: The speed that enabled this vaccine to be in use in under one year is due to several things.

—Past vaccines required the use of human cells to actually grow the virus used in the vaccine. It takes a long time to harvest human cells, grow the virus in those cells, harvest and purify the virus, kill or render the virus less infectious and then formulate the carrier for the virus to have the final vaccine. Since NO part of the virus is used in the mRNA vaccine, this time consuming (months long) process was avoided. Instead the mRNA can be made synthetically and mass produced quickly.

—Since the genetic code of the virus was known in January 2020, manufacturing of the mRNA was able to begin then. This enabled clinical trials to begin quickly and both the Pfizer and Moderna trials had 30,000-40,000 participants. Due to the continued spread and high infection rates of COVID-19 the clinical trials were finished much more quickly than normal. With many trials for other vaccines there are so few infections it takes much longer to see if there is a protective effect from the vaccine.

—FDA review was as thorough as for any vaccine but expedited due to the urgent need.

—Finally, actual vaccine production would typically not start until after FDA approval, but because the government ordered and paid for hundreds of millions of doses in advance, pharmaceutical companies began producing them even before clinical testing was started.

MYTH: The mRNA vaccine can change or enter your DNA. FACT: Messenger RNA (mRNA) CANNOT alter your DNA. It can only enter your cells, NOT your DNA. It then instructs your DNA to make the spike protein of the Coronavirus which your body recognizes as foreign and develops immunity against. After that the mRNA dissolves.

MYTH: This is new technology so it may not be safe.

FACT: mRNA technology has been around over 10 years, but was unable to be used in a vaccine because where it was being developed for Zika, SARS, MERS and H1N1 those viruses disappeared and clinical trials could not be completed as there was no need for vaccines against those viruses.

MYTH: This vaccine could cause infertility in women.

FACT: The placenta has a protein with a short sequence of amino acids (the building blocks of all proteins) in common with the spike protein of the Coronavirus. It is said that this could lead to antibodies to the spike protein attacking the placenta. Many proteins have common amino acid sequences, and this sequence is so short it is meaningless. Additionally, nearly 45,000 pregnant women have been infected with COVID-19 causing antibody development to the spike protein and they have had NO greater complications with their pregnancy than those not infected with COVID-19.

MYTH: There are more side effects to these vaccines.

FACT: These vaccines have had no more side effects than most vaccines. They include a day or 2 of a sore arm, fatigue or malaise, possible fever and other mild symptoms. These symptoms are NOT of infection, but of an active immune response which is a good thing. A few cases of Bell’s palsy (temporary facial paralysis) have been reported. It is unclear if they are related, but they all resolved quickly. There are isolated cases of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) possibly related to a preservative/ adjuvant called PEG to make the vaccine more stable and have a better response. This ingredient, PEG (polyethylene glycol) is commonly used in toothpaste, shampoo and bowel preparations. These reactions are rare and easily treated with an epipen. There are no known long term adverse events related to the vaccine. However, there ARE many reported cases of lingering symptoms (long haulers) from infection with COVID-19 .... a much greater risk than the vaccine.

SUMMARY:

These vaccines are likely the safest, most tested and scrutinized vaccines ever developed, as dozens of pharmaceutical companies are working on them and sharing information. Clinical testing of the vaccines was the same as for all past vaccines. There is NO risk of it altering your DNA. There is NO risk of it causing COVID-19. It has minimal, typical side effects. It is far more effective than most vaccines (94-95% effective vs 40-50% effective for influenza vaccines). It is estimated it is necessary for 70 plus percent of the population to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity and stop the rapid spread of and infection by the virus. Please get your vaccine as soon as you are eligible!

REMAIN PRUDENT IN YOUR DAILY LIVES

Tackling the coronavirus is not a sprint. My sense tells me that we are in this for the long haul. The Pandemic of 1918 lasted until 1921. It came about through herd immunity (so many catching it and so many dying), mask-wearing, social distancing, frequent handwashing, and quarantining.

The virus also mutated and weakened. Remnants of that virus can still be found today in the influenza virus.

When will life, our economies and our businesses return to normal? Much of that depends upon us.

What our office is doing for your safety:

https://www.merrickdentistry.com/patient-information/infection-control/coronavirus-enhanced-precautions/

FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES

For 2021, stay safe and stay healthy.

Dr. Steve Levy
516-378-8600

2565 Beverly Rd
Merrick, NY 11566
On the corner of Merrick Rd and Babylon Tpke

[email protected]