To our Dear Patients,
We hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. Our community has been through a lot over the past few months and we are all looking to getting back to some sense of normalcy. As we move forward and you begin to venture in, you will notice some changes to our protocols and flow. What has not changed is our top priority which has been and still is your health and well-being.
We, at the Uptown Dental Clinic, have adhered to strict, high level, infection control guidelines to ensure you receive care that is personal, comfortable and safe. In this new pandemic environment these protocols and guidelines are continually changing. We are staying up to date with current recommendations of the ADA, CDC, and OSHA and making adjustments to protocols in accordance.
We have made changes to help ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Some of the changes you may notice on your next visit include:
We very much look forward to seeing you again and we are here to answer questions you may have about what we are doing to keep you and each of our patients safe. With so many unknowns we do understand if you don’t feel comfortable right away and if you would like to postpone your routine appointment – that is OK. Please know that we are taking all possible steps to make this a safe environment so that you can keep up with your oral health. Oral health is extremely important to overall health; we are here to help and serve!
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty to our practice and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends!
Sincerely,
Dr. Liza Mathias, Dr. Adrian Olson and the Ladies of the Uptown Dental Clinic
We hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. Our community has been through a lot over the past few months and we are all looking to getting back to some sense of normalcy. As we move forward and you begin to venture in, you will notice some changes to our protocols and flow. What has not changed is our top priority which has been and still is your health and well-being.
We, at the Uptown Dental Clinic, have adhered to strict, high level, infection control guidelines to ensure you receive care that is personal, comfortable and safe. In this new pandemic environment these protocols and guidelines are continually changing. We are staying up to date with current recommendations of the ADA, CDC, and OSHA and making adjustments to protocols in accordance.
We have made changes to help ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Some of the changes you may notice on your next visit include:
- Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You will be asked these questions again when you present for your appointment. If we leave you a message, please call us back to review screening questions prior to your appointment.
- Screening is VERY important. Please call us back prior to your appointment.
- Please be patient with us. We spend a LOT of time on the phone with confirmations as well as other calls. If we do not pick up during business hours, please leave a message and we will call you back soon, or try calling back in a few minutes.
- When you arrive, we will ask you to wash your hands on entering the building and we will take your temperature. If your temperature is higher than 100.4 degrees F, we will kindly ask you to reschedule your appointment.
- We will ask you to complete a 15 second rinse/gargle with an antimicrobial rinse prior to procedures.
- We have removed toys and magazines from the waiting room as these are difficult to disinfect.
- We disinfect all commonly touched surfaces in non-clinical areas frequently throughout the day.
- Each operatory has its own HEPA air filtration unit as well as the HVAC system which is equipped with the highest level of filtration possible.
- Hygiene appointments may be slightly different in an effort to reduce aerosols. Differences may include avoiding polishing and the hygienist may ask you to participate in the cleaning by holding the high evacuation suction outside your mouth or use an intraoral evacuation device that sits by the cheek, if they need to produce aerosols. These changes in cleaning do not affect the ultimate efficacy of the cleaning, as the main goal is to remove calculus and plaque, which generally can be done effectively with hand-scaling alone.
We very much look forward to seeing you again and we are here to answer questions you may have about what we are doing to keep you and each of our patients safe. With so many unknowns we do understand if you don’t feel comfortable right away and if you would like to postpone your routine appointment – that is OK. Please know that we are taking all possible steps to make this a safe environment so that you can keep up with your oral health. Oral health is extremely important to overall health; we are here to help and serve!
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty to our practice and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends!
Sincerely,
Dr. Liza Mathias, Dr. Adrian Olson and the Ladies of the Uptown Dental Clinic
The Perfect Blend of Compassionate Care and Artistry
At Uptown Dental we strive to give our patients the highest quality care, providing comfort, reassurance and attention to detail. Doctors Mathias and Olson have the clinical knowledge, technical skills and aesthetic excellence that make their patients feel at ease.
You're in good hands. |
Liza Mathias, DDS
After graduating from Port Townsend High School, Dr. Mathias earned a bachelor of arts in biology at Whitman College. Deciding that dentistry was a profession that combined her interests of art, science and caring for people, she entered University of Washington School of Dentistry.
There she was one of eight selected to take part in the RIDE (Rural Initiatives in Dental Education) program, which focuses on bringing awareness and access to care in rural areas. She graduated second in her class and was granted honorary membership into Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society, which also awarded her scholarships in each of the previous three years. Dr. Mathias continued her post-graduate work at Idaho State University’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry program in Boise, where she practiced with specialist mentors in all areas of dentistry. |
Adrian Olson, DDS
Dr. Olson was raised in Minnesota, Washington and Colorado and has made Washington her home. She spent 3 years growing up in Port Angeles and has been trying to move back to the Olympic Peninsula since.
She attended University of Colorado at Boulder where she earned her degree in Integrative Physiology. After college, she decided to move back to the Pacific Northwest and worked in Seattle as an optometric technician, optician, and then orthodontic assistant. During this time, she learned how much she enjoyed working with her hands and caring for patients and decided that dentistry would be a great way to combine both interests. Dr. Olson then attended University of Washington School of Dentistry and was a part of the school’s new curriculum where she participated in intensive clerkship rotations. During her final year of school, she spent 5 weeks working as an intern in a private practice in Hardin, Montana. She also spent 6 weeks as an intern at a Community Health Clinic in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Olson graduated fifth in her class and was awarded membership to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society for academic achievement. |
Hygiene Services
Thorough, yet gentle, cleaning is the way to healthier smile.
Meet our hygiene team!
Gayle Koschnick, RDH
Gayle earned her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Pierce College. She joined our staff in 2000. A lifelong interest in science along with what she describes as “fascinating and positive dental visits,” led Gayle to a career in dental hygiene. When she’s not at work, Gayle has many interests, including road and mountain biking, camping, road trips, exploring places off the beaten path, sewing, quilting and enjoying the peace and quiet of home.
McKenzie R. Deen, RDH BSMcKenzie earned her Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Allied Health from Seattle Central College in 2021, and joined our team following her graduation. She spent 6 years prior to dental hygiene school as a dental assistant where she found her passion for preventative dentistry and dental hygiene. McKenzie grew up in Port Townsend and was a patient of the Uptown Dental Clinic throughout her childhood. Now residing back in her hometown, McKenzie enjoys beach walks with her dog Tazz and two cats, bike rides with her husband, and baking yummy treats to share with family and friends.
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Grace E. Lytle, RDH BS
Grace earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from Eastern Washington University. Having worked as an assistant to Dr. Scharf for many years she returned here after dental hygiene school. When she’s not cleaning teeth, Grace enjoys reading, crocheting, walking at Fort Worden State Park and spending time with her husband and young sons.
Julia Friedle, RDH
Julia earned her Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene from Shoreline Community College in 1992. She practiced with her father, a dentist in Kent, for most of her career and came to Uptown Dental Clinic in November of 2020. She enjoys being a dental hygienist because she has the privilege of helping people improve their health and quality of life in a very personal and tangible way. She strives to provide a positive and enjoyable experience for all her patients. Julia is married to Brian, and between them they have six adult children and three grandchildren. They enjoy seeking adventures of all kinds, and are often hiking, back-packing, climbing mountains, and exploring around the world.
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Cami Carr, RDH
Cami earned her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Shoreline Community College. She has practiced in Washington since 2004 and joined us in 2007. Cami chose a career in dental hygiene because it allows her to spend extended time with patients and the opportunity to improve their oral health. When not working, Cami and her family enjoy beach walks, hikes, camping, sailing and playing hard!
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