Kenichi Baba, DDS

22 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com I had my second dose of the COVID vaccine on 2/5/21. We know that we may have some flu like symptoms for 24 hours to 48 hours after the second dose, so I was expecting some symptoms. And, yes, the next day I was feeling tired and achy all over. Also, all day , I felt cold and turned the heater on and had it on pretty much the whole day. The injection sight was somewhat sore after the first dose, but this time , the soreness was much more. However, the next day, I felt just fine. The difference between the two days were very clear cut. Well, this was another interesting experience. Although not everybody have symptoms and everyone can have differing symptoms after the second dose, but I hope this helps you with what to expect.

1 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com I got my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine 1/8/2021. Since dentists are healthcare workers, we are included in the first group to be vaccinated.... It was the Moderna vaccine. See more

12 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com Covid-19 and it's comorbidities have a lot to do with inflammation. Chronic gum disease is also a chronic inflammation. On top of that, the bacteria in the mouth can enter the lungs and cause problems.... The virus that causes Covid-19 is SARS-COV-2 or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Pneumonia and/or acute respiratory distress syndrome can occur with Covid and they can be life-threatening. Please take care of your gums since gum disease can contribute to making Covid symptoms worse. Always brush and floss well everyday and please have regular check ups and cleanings at the dentist. See more

www.KenichiBabaDDS.com As part of our infection control, we use "ioRinse" for our pre-treatment mouth rinse. It is very effective against the Coronavirus. It is also very effective against other bacteria and viruses.

www.KenichiBabaDDS.com These 4 months, I have noticed more patients with what appears to be pain from clenching and grinding teeth. Also, I 've noticed more plaque and stain and calculus on some patients. Some of the plaque is from not being able to see the patients for 3 months, but some may be from neglect due to all the stress from Covid. The clenching and grinding are likely from the stress from Covid. Please relax , or try to relax by deep breathing , meditation, yoga or whatever means you can take. And please brush and floss well everyday regularly. Please have regular checkups and cleanings at the dentist as well. Very very good practice.

www.KenichiBabaDDS.com We have installed special air purifiers in the office. One for each operatory, and one for outside the operatories.... With all the other things we were already doing, our practice is I believe very safe. The air in our office is very very good! See more

8 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com There are numerous studies that indicate that the severity of COVID-19 is dose dependent. In other words, the amount of the virus that you are exposed to when you get infected will correspond to how sick you become. The more virus at the time of exposure, more sick you become. N-95 masks will filer out about 95% of the virus. Other masks, including home made cloth masks, will filter out 65% to 85% of the virus.... If a person with the virus wears a mask, the amount of the virus that he/she breathes out is lessened, and if a person that does get infected wears a mask, the person is exposed to less virus than if he/she did not wear a mask. If you are infected, but are asymptomatic or with very light symptoms, and you get to become immune later, that is an OK way to go. Of course, the severity of the disease depends on other things like having other diseases and how healthy you are, but it really makes sense to wear masks when you are around others. See more

www.KenichiBabaDDS.com Strengthening our immunity is a great defense against the Corona Virus. It is very basic, yet very effective. To do so, get plenty of sleep. Eat well. Relax and don't let stress take you over. Do light exercise. (Not like a marathon) Take vitamins. ( vitamin D is quite effective)

We have reopened our practice!

www.KenichiBabaDDS.com Strengthening our immunity is a great defense against the Corona Virus. It is very basic, yet very effective. To do so, get plenty of sleep. Eat well. Relax and don't let stress take you over. Do light exercise. (Not like a marathon) Take vitamins. ( vitamin D is quite effective)

686 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com We are reopening our practice on 6/8/2020. I am posting the letter we sent to our patients since there are some changes to the way we practice.... Dear Patient, We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot in the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same at our office: our commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority in our practice. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the California Dental Association, the US Center for Disease Control, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the California Department of Public Health. We closely follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up to date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations. 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 within 48 hours before your appointment to ask some COVID-19 screening questions. A member of our team will meet you at the door and you will be asked these same questions again when you arrive at our office. We will also ask you to put on a face mask before you enter the office and will offer you one if you do not already have one. We will take and record your temperature as well as part of this screening process. We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office after the screening. Masks must always be worn by all patients for the entire visit. We will have you remove your mask for your procedure only. We will ask you to call the office when you arrive so that we may let you know when we are ready to meet you at the door for the screening. You will see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines or reading material during this time. Appointments will be managed to allow for physical distancing between patients. We therefore may ask that you wait in the car before or after your screening to control patient traffic in our office. We will do everything possible to make sure you feel safe and welcome in this new environment. We look forward to opening our doors on June 8th 2020. Should you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at 949-752-6480. Sincerely, Kenichi Baba, DDS

45 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com Our office is still closed at this time. In the long run, there will be good medicines for the virus and even a vaccine, and immunities will develop. There will be an end to this pandemic, but for now, we just have to live with this virus the best we can.... In the meantime, as is, reopening the country or the states is a big deal. We too are preparing for our re opening. Of course, when we reopen, we will make sure our patients and staff are safe. Even before the pandemic, dental offices always took extensive measures for infection control. We just have to keep them up and also do more as necessary. And yes ,we are making some changes at our office. There will be added measures. In a way, it will be a new, interesting experience when you come see us. For example, we now have shields at the front reception area. Right now, though, there is still a shortage of PPEs(protective masks and gowns) so we just have to wait.

I'll just post one more video for now. Blackbird

Here is another video. Mood for a day.

Here is another video. Mood for a day.

These are very strange times , but I am sure we will get through this. Of course in the meantime, it is very stressful. I thought well can I do anything that maybe fun and entertaining - something different from the crazy situation we are in. Well, I do play guitar. Few people know this , but I never showed it to anyone much at all. My younger brother is a professional guitar player/musician, and some people know this too. Anyhow, I just have one classic guitar. I took some videos in a row. There are some obvious mistakes in the playing that you will see, but I think it is entertaining this way. Well, "Yesterday" was kind of OK but the others - you'll see.

4 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com Our office is closed at this time. We do not know when we will resume our practice.... California Dental Association has strongly recommended that all dentist do not see patients unless there is a condition if left alone would become life threatening. Because dentists work in the mouth, the likelihood of infection is high with the Coronavirus. However, if you have an emergency, I can be reached on my cell phone (949) 307-5159. Please be safe Wash the hands well. Keep 6 feet apart from others Wear a face covering when you go out. And, do brush and floss well even in these times.

3 www.KenichiBabaDDS.com Gum disease is bad for your gut too. Apparently, it affects the flora in your gut and let it have more bad bacteria than good. ... And for some reason we find bad oral bacteria in areas of the gut that has cancer. Please take care of your teeth and gums. Keeping the mouth clean is the definitive preventive measure for gum disease. Brush and floss well. Water flossers are very effective too. And please have regular check ups and cleanings at the dentist. See more