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Contact UsThis post originally appeared in the September/October 2020 Capital Region Living Magazine. Written by Beth Krueger.
Remember when your dentist’s office would call you before an appointment, reminding you to arrive on a predetermined date and time with your insurance card in hand? On that date, you would’ve taken a seat in the busy waiting room next to other patients. Now because of the COVID-19 crisis, that process is no more. So, what are dental appointments like nowadays?
Luckily, dental professionals who work in offices or clinics are trained in infection-control protocols (such as sterilizing equipment, sanitizing surfaces, and changing disposable items) anyway, so they were a step ahead of the game when COVID hit. Of course, additional procedures have since been put in place to protect both the onsite dental team and its patients. In New York State, for example, dental offices could only perform emergency care at the outset of the pandemic but were then authorized to fully reopen on June 1.
“Dentists have a long history of infection control and take extreme care to assure the safety of patients, doctors, and staff,” says New York State Dental Association Executive Director Mark J. Feldman. “With the experience, knowledge, and equipment gained over the past several months, dentists are well-prepared to safely serve their patients. We encourage you to visit your dentist, as your oral health is vital to your overall health.”
Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn, owner of Adirondack Orthodontics—which has offices in Albany, Latham, Clifton Park, East Greenbush, and Glens Falls—notes that his dental service “has always adhered to all relevant infection control protocols and procedures and required all clinical staff to do the same. Out of an abundance of caution and in keeping the health and safety of our patients and staff first and foremost, we have further expanded those efforts during the pandemic.”
Whereas that call you used to get before your appointment may have asked you if there were any updates to your medical history since your last visit, these days you might be asked questions about your current health, whether you’ve been exposed to (or tested for) the COVID-19 virus or if you’ve taken any recent trips. You also may be reminded to wear a mask while in the office except (obviously) during your dental procedure. The office may even ask you to call when you arrive in the parking lot, so it can limit the number of patients it has onsite at one time.
Now, imagine that you’re in your dental office. It’s entirely possible that you could be asked to use the available hand sanitizer as you enter, have your temperature taken, or review any pre-visit questions. You could also be handed paperwork on a clipboard, along with a sanitized pen, that you either take with you or deposit in a cup after use. Those magazines, toys, and other items you might’ve handled months ago in the waiting room? They’re likely all gone. And there might also be fewer chairs or some space cordoned off between chairs to promote social distancing. The dental team itself could be wearing different masks, face shields, and gowns, depending on what procedure you’re in for. “We are scheduling additional time between appointments to minimize the number of patients in the office at any one time, and we ask that child patients be accompanied by only one parent or guardian,” says Dr. Berenshteyn. “We require all patients and family members coming into the office to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines, and our waiting areas are closed to maintain proper social distancing. Parents and guardians check-in at the reception desk with their child, make any payments due and schedule upcoming appointments, and then return to their cars during treatment. We call them when treatment is complete to return and pick up their child.”
Adirondack Orthodontics also conducts daily temperature and health checks of both administrative and clinical staff and requires all staff to wear protective gear, including masks and gloves, in accordance with local, state, and federal health guidelines. Treatment chairs in the operatory have been set to ensure social distancing. Cleaning is done between appointments, and the office is thoroughly disinfected, as per appropriate guidelines.
So, the next time you make an appointment to go see your dentist, know that the process will be a little bit different, but you’ll get the same great care you always did. And that’s a reason to smile.
This article originally was posted in the Albany Business Journal
Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn had plans to open a fifth Adirondack Orthodontics office in Glens Falls. But when he had to temporarily close his four offices and furlough staff in mid-March, he put those plans on hold.
Now that he’s reopened his offices and brought back all staff, he’s moving forward with the plans.
Berenshteyn this Thursday is opening a new office in Glens Falls at 88 Broad St. The practice will have a suite of about 3,500 square feet in the building owned by Glens Falls Pediatric Consultants.
“I was always optimistic that things would recover, but I was a little bit concerned. But for now, we are recovering. June and July were good months,” Berenshteyn said. “Now that we’re reopened, I’m still optimistic, and I decided to keep going with my plans.”
Berenshteyn, a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2019, opened his fourth office in mid-January in East Greenbush. The other offices are in Latham, Guilderland and Clifton Park.
He’s already hired two clinical staff for the location. And a third orthodontist started about a month ago, allowing the practice to further open scheduling availability.
Existing patients are still regularly getting the checkups they need. At this point, new patient flow is down by about 15%-20%.
“I was concerned with what the patients’ attitudes may be once we reopened. We took a lot of precautions to make our patients feel comfortable and keep our patients and our staff safe.”
An expanded schedule has allowed more people to receive services, he said, especially now that many are working or attending school remotely.
“People actually have the time right now to come see an orthodontist. I think this is one of the reasons we’ve been able to bounce back.”
After investing in your straight, healthy smile, it makes sense to do everything you can to keep it. Retention is just as important as the rest of the process, and this is what a retainer is for. Your retainer is made specifically for you, custom-designed to fit your teeth exactly and keep them in the desired position. Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, wearing your retainer at night, and keeping it clean and cared for, is essential to preventing your teeth from moving.
Occasional wear and tear is normal, as is outgrowing a retainer. No matter the circumstances you find yourself in, the team at Adirondack Orthodontics will be there to help keep you on track.
Has your retainer worn out?
Retainers can last for many years, but wear and tear does occur. If you wear your retainer every night and it still fits you, we can easily create a duplicate retainer.
Does your retainer no longer fit, but you’re still happy with your smile?
Maybe you’ve forgotten to wear your retainer a few too many times. If this is the case, your teeth may have moved. While this is not ideal, we can create a new retainer that fits your mouth. Please don’t attempt to use your current retainer if it doesn’t fit; it’s better to simply have us create a new retainer that suits the current shape of your mouth.
Does your retainer no longer fit, and is your smile not as straight and even as you’d like it to be?
Failing to wear a retainer for a long time may mean that you need help getting your teeth back to where they were. If you have an extreme overbite or underbite once again, or if your teeth are crooked, you may need to schedule an appointment to reevaluate your treatment plan. Fortunately, you probably won’t be starting from scratch.
While we always recommend faithfully wearing your retainer once your treatment is complete, we are here to help with fixing your retainer or recommending the services you need to achieve a beautiful smile once again.
Contact Adirondack Orthodontics for assistance with all of your retainer and orthodontic needs; we would be delighted to tell you more and help you begin or continue your journey to the smile you’ve always wanted.
Adirondack Orthodontics, a locally owned and operated orthodontic practice that serves thousands of Capital Region patients and families, today announced that Dr. Garrison Copeland has joined its growing team of skilled, caring, and compassionate orthodontists.
Dr. Copeland previously practiced orthodontics for seven years in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was responsible for helping more than 3,000 patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. For the past two years, he chose to continue his training at BronxCare Health Systems, where he focused on cosmetic and implant dentistry and was named chief resident. This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he volunteered in the hospital’s Family Medicine Department, assisting COVID-19 patients with treatment and recovery.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Copeland to our talented and caring professional team,” said Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn, who founded the practice in 2012. “Garrison’s exceptional skills as an orthodontist, combined with his commitment to providing personalized and compassionate care, make him a perfect fit with Adirondack Orthodontics. As a practice that is proud to be locally owned and operated, we look forward to enhancing our mission of helping children and adults in our community lead healthier, more confident, and more fulfilling lives.”
Growing up with severely misaligned teeth, Dr. Copeland understood at an early age the significance of having a healthy and aesthetic smile. Determined to help others facing similar circumstances, he pursued a career in orthodontics. Dr. Copeland earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Howard University in Washington, DC and upon graduating was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. He completed post-graduate orthodontic training at Case Western Reserve University in Chicago, Illinois.
One of the Capital Region’s largest locally owned and operated orthodontic practices, Adirondack Orthodontics serves more than 2,000 patients annually. Dr. Copeland joins Dr. Berenshteyn, Dr. Larissa Takhalova, and a staff of 15 working at offices in Albany, Latham, East Greenbush, and Clifton Park.
Adirondack Orthodontics’ state-of-the-art facilities include the latest high-tech equipment, such as the iTero Intraoral Scanner, which replaces alginate molds with digital impressions. Its patient-friendly benefits include participation with most major insurances; flexible in-office payment plans; paperless communication; and the ability to receive treatment at any of its four locations. Adirondack Orthodontics is open and staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers evening hours, and one Saturday each month.
Put Your Health First: Choose Orthodontics Over DIY
If we’ve learned one thing during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the importance of putting health and safety first. That makes this a good time to remind new and prospective patients why it’s far better to straighten your smile with the help of a skilled and trained orthodontist rather than using a do-it-yourself option.
The Dangers of DIY Aligner Methods
DIY braces may seem like a fast and easy solution, but at-home methods can lead to long-term oral health problems that will ultimately require the expertise of an orthodontist to correct. Attempting to save money in the short term can have long-term consequences, both on your wallet and your health.
Why is that? The DIY approach is typically a one-size-fits-all solution. It doesn’t take X-rays or conduct exams – in other words, it doesn’t take your personal situation into account. In addition, there is no orthodontist to monitor the process, evaluate your progress, assess whether treatment is proceeding as it should, and adjust your treatment plan if needed. The resulting health issues can be significant: long-term bite problems, tooth misalignment, and infections are just some of the problems that can crop up after trying DIY orthodontia.
The Advantages of a Board-Certified Orthodontist
Rather than risking your smile and health with a dangerous DIY “solution,” turn to a proven expert who lives and works in your hometown. A board-certified orthodontist is uniquely educated and trained to provide the expert services needed to help you gain a healthy, beautiful smile. These are just some of the benefits of working with a licensed professional orthodontist:
Personalized Treatment Plans
At Adirondack Orthodontics, an on-site, board-certified orthodontist will complete X-rays and a visual exam, explore your medical history and tailor a customized treatment plan that meets your specific needs. We can even utilize technology to show you what your new smile will look like before we begin treatment!
Customized Payment Plans
When it comes to your budget, Adirondack Orthodontics has you covered. We can tailor a plan that will work within your budget, and we are a participating provider with nearly all insurance plans. We’ll also work with your insurance company to make sure you get the most out of your benefits and handle all the administrative details so you don’t have to.
Long-Term Retention
One of the most important factors that make choosing an orthodontist superior to a DIY method is retention, or the ability to keep your smile after the treatment. At Adirondack Orthodontics, lifetime smile maintenance is guaranteed.
Convenient, Friendly Service
Flexible scheduling, caring and compassionate staff members, and affordable service are just some of the qualities that set us apart. At Adirondack Orthodontics, our patients are our most important priority!
Invest in Your Smile Today
Your health is too important to risk with a do-it-yourself treatment. Turn to the team that provides a personalized solution under the supervision of a licensed, board-certified orthodontist.
Get started at Adirondack Orthodontics today and allow us to create a treatment plan just for you! We are proud to treat all cases, no matter the challenges. Whether Invisalign is the best treatment for you, or you choose another solution such as ceramic or metal braces, we are here to help you gain and retain a beautiful smile.
You deserve the best in oral care, so skip the gimmicks and invest in your smile by calling Adirondack Orthodontics. Schedule an appointment today at one of our convenient locations in Clifton Park, Albany, Latham, or East Greenbush, NY. It would be our pleasure to provide you with incredible orthodontic care that puts your health, safety, and smile first!
The shutdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic caused a lot of disruption in our daily lives. The efforts made by Dr. Berenshteyn and the team at Adirondack Orthodontics helped maintain treatment for thousands of patients throughout the Capital Region. The Post Star recently featured how the team was able to adapt to ensure that our patients were getting the best possible care.
We’re thrilled that all Adirondack Orthodontics’ offices have reopened, but we’ve also learned that patients and families appreciate the opportunity to connect with us from their homes. So, we’re making it easier than ever to access the tools and information you need to make the right decisions about your oral health.
On June 1, we launched a new website that includes several online tools to assist both current and new patients.
Smile Assessment Tool
Take our quick and easy smile assessment to get a better idea of the orthodontic treatment that may be right for you or your child. Once we understand your concerns, we can begin to put together a treatment plan. All you’ll need to do after that is make an appointment with one of our Smile Ambassadors, which you can do while using our Smile Assessment tool.
Payment Calculator
We believe in being upfront when it comes to the cost of treatment. Use our payment calculator to understand how your payments will be spread out over time. We offer completely customized plans because we believe everyone should be able to afford the perfect smile – and remember, we are a participating provider with nearly every insurance plan.
Our payment calculator can estimate the cost of your treatment based on your initial payment, how much insurance will pay, the length of the treatment, and more.
Online Bill Payment
Paying your bills from the comfort and safety of your home is more essential than ever. Utilize our secure online bill payment option any time you need to make a payment. If you have any questions, our trained and friendly staff is always available to help you.
Explore Our Website
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to look through our new website and check out the many great things happening at Adirondack Orthodontics. Whether you’re a current or new patient, we’re sure you’ll like what you see, and if we can be of service, we’d love to talk to you. Don’t hesitate to contact your nearest office in Albany, Clifton Park, Latham, or East Greenbush. We look forward to seeing you soon!
This article originally was posted in the Albany Business Journal
Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn prepared himself for a difficult conversation.
It was mid-March and the curve of the coronavirus pandemic was starting to arc upward. He knew there would be consequences for his orthodontics practice — it’s a business in which people are literally face to face every day. You can’t have people working so closely without risking spread of the virus.
Berenshteyn gathered his staff. They talked through options before reaching a consensus: three-quarters of them would need to be furloughed.
“Even though everything was based on facts, personally, it was just the hardest day of my life to have to break such news to 20 people,” Berenshteyn said.
Before the crisis, Adirondack Orthodontics had seen about 60 patients per day at its four locations around the Albany region, including one that had just opened. The practice typically works with upwards of 2,000 patients in various stages of treatment. A lot of them are teenagers who require regular instructions and reminders.
Berenshteyn and the remaining staff have found ways to adapt. They’re conducting virtual office visits, mailing out new rubber bands. For urgent cases, he schedules a time to meet in the office.
The furloughed staff have kept in touch with questions about when they can come back and what they can do in the meantime. During a video call, some of them volunteered to help figure out how to run the practice in the Covid-19 world. Berenshteyn paid them for their time.
“These people want to help me; these people want to be back to work. They care about the patients; they care about the practice,” he said. “Amid all this, this really was a feel-good moment.
Berenshteyn is anxious to get them all back to work. Adirondack Orthodontics wasn’t able to secure a PPP loan during the first round. Without the loan, he’d be limited to a skeleton crew upon reopening.
He was worried about getting shut out in round two, but found success applying through T Bank.
“I reread the letter because I wasn’t sure I read it correctly,” Berenshteyn said, recalling the moment when the email arrived about the approval.
With the loan in hand, he could bring back his full staff. And he felt better about being able to work through the backlog of postponed patient visits.
Then there was the longer-term future. New patient inquires had evaporated completely during the first weeks of the crisis.
“When economic times are uncertain, you just don’t know when orthodontic treatments will be a concern for new patients,” Berenshteyn said.
But beginning in mid-April, he started getting a couple of new calls each day.
“I feel like people started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “I look at it as a positive sign because at this time, while everything is still closed, for people to be calling us is already great.”
Berenshteyn and his staff have put together a plan to prevent spread of the virus after the offices reopen. They will encourage social distancing in the office and space out appointments to make sure waiting rooms aren’t busy. Virtual visits and consultations will continue.
He’s just waiting on the go-ahead from the New York State Dental Association.
And the phone keeps ringing as the number of new patient inquiries continues to rise during May.
“These are the types of signs that make me really optimistic that things will start heading toward normalcy for everyone.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many people to pursue longstanding desires, from home improvement and landscaping projects to health and fitness goals. We are seeing that firsthand at Adirondack Orthodontics, with an increasing number of people contacting us to inquire about straightening their teeth with Invisalign or traditional braces. Now is a great time to get started – here are five reasons why.
Health and Safety is Our Top Priority. We have established extensive protocols to ensure the well-being of our patients and staff. Once our doors fully reopen, we are spacing out appointments to minimize contact with others; checking the temperatures of staff and patients daily prior to treatments; installing partitions to enable social distancing during treatments; and enhancing deep cleaning and thorough disinfection so each patient has a safe and enjoyable experience.
Virtual Screenings Get Treatment Started Safely and Comfortably. Our complimentary virtual consultation program has been a huge hit! It gives patients access to our orthodontic services from the comfort and safety of their homes. See our Virtual Consultation page to find out more; you can call us, email us, or fill out the form on that page, and we will get started on putting together the information needed to schedule your virtual appointment.
Patients Starting Now Move to the Front of the Line. As we start to ramp back up, your path to achieving a beautiful and healthy smile is wide open. With your virtual screening completed, you’ll be ready to have your braces put on immediately. That means your treatment will be completed faster and it won’t be long before you’re showing off your gorgeous new smile!
The Cost Savings Have Never Been Better. No matter your financial situation, Adirondack Orthodontics wants to ensure you have access to all the best orthodontic care. In addition to our customized payment plans, low down payment options, and discounts for teachers and first responders, we’ve put together a special offer: start your treatment by June 30 and we’ll match your down payment up to $650. (This applies to comprehensive treatment only)
We Offer the Flexibility You Need and Convenience You Want. With four offices conveniently located in Albany, Latham, Clifton Park, and East Greenbush, we’re right in your neighborhood. And, with evening and weekend hours, we can work around your busy work schedule, school and sports activities, and other commitments to make treatment a seamless process.
Now is the perfect time to start planning for the future. We invite you to visit our webpage to see the latest updates on our practice and policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. And, if you would like to schedule a complimentary virtual consultation, visit our Virtual Consultation page to make an appointment at your convenience. We look forward to helping you achieve the perfect, healthy smile of your dreams!
Forced to stay at home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many people are turning to do-it-yourself solutions for everything from haircuts to home improvement projects. But while styling your own hair might not yield the ideal results, and trying to sponge-paint your own living room might lead to some regret, hair can grow back, and you can always repaint later. Orthodontics, on the other hand, is definitely not a DIY activity.
The Dangers of DIY
Online companies might boast of at-home teeth straightening solutions, but in truth, the results can be both expensive and painful. The initial price of at-home treatments may be lower, but the long-term costs of fixing your teeth will be far more. Worse, at-home DIY solutions can cause long-term bite problems and dangerous infections, and a trip to the hospital is the last thing anyone needs right now.
With professional orthodontics, patients benefit from the presence of a trained expert who can provide a personalized solution and monitor ongoing treatment. A licensed orthodontist will conduct a comprehensive exam and take X-rays to develop a treatment plan, and he or she will be there to identify and address any issues along the way.
Further, keeping your teeth in place once treatment is over – what is called retention – is just as important as the actual treatment. An experienced orthodontist will help you come up with a plan for keeping your beautiful smile once you achieve it. DIY kits might skip this vital step, and your teeth are likely to revert to their former positions, leaving you right where you started.
Clearly, DIY braces come with a price tag and risk that are significant. Instead, turn to the caring and committed professionals at Adirondack Orthodontics to work one-on-one with you to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted in a safe, effective manner. Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn and his experienced team are standing by to help provide the services you need in Albany, Clifton Park, Latham, East Greenbush, and across the Capital Region.
Don’t Want to Wait? Try a Virtual Screening!
At Adirondack Orthodontics, the health and safety of our patients is always our number one concern. While we are scheduling appointments to address urgent cases and following CDC guidelines, we encourage new patients to schedule a complimentary virtual appointment. This can be done in the comfort of your own home, at no cost to you.
We invite you to visit our Virtual Consultation page to find out more. You can call us, email us or fill out the form, and we will begin putting together the information needed to schedule your appointment. The initial consultation is an essential first step toward developing a treatment plan to meet your oral health care needs. We look forward to seeing you!