"Is It Safe To Visit The Dentist During The COVID-19 Pandemic?"

[appalachiablue]

"Is it safe to visit the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic?" Associated Press, July 9, 2020.

Dentists can’t eliminate all risk, but they are taking steps to minimize the chances of spreading the coronavirus. You’ll likely notice changes as soon as you enter the office. Many dentists have removed magazines from waiting rooms, for example, as well as some chairs to encourage social distancing. They also are spacing out appointments to avoid crowding their offices.

You may be asked to arrive for your appointment with a facial covering and to wait in your car until equipment is cleaned and the dentist is ready. Before receiving care, you can also expect staff to take your temperature and ask about COVID-19 symptoms.

Procedures are changing, too. Coronavirus is spread mainly through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze. Dental care requires close quarters and procedures that can generate a spray of saliva and water.
To reduce risk, dentists are returning to manual tools for procedures like teeth cleanings, instead of other instruments that may do the job faster but create more of that spray.

Staff also have started wearing masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment. Some dentists are charging for all the extra gear, so ask in advance if you should expect extra costs. As the pandemic spread earlier this year, dental offices in the U.S. mostly closed, except for emergency care. By the end of June, nearly all offices had reopened, according to surveys by the American Dental Association. ~ End.

- More Viral Questions:– How risky is dining out during the COVID-19 pandemic? – Does wearing a mask pose any health risks? – How risky is flying during the coronavirus pandemic?

https://apnews.com/106326031c899bc80fa288ade3dda763

[PJMcK]

1. I hope so!

This afternoon, I have a cleaning scheduled.

[captain queeg]

2. I've gone twice in the last couple weeks; cleaning and replacement crown

They were very careful. I even went and got a haircut when I left this week. Decided to get all my exposures done with. Both places were very careful and took all precautions.

[appalachiablue]

12. Thanks, another positive report.

[DIVINEprividence]

3. If the Dentist is taking precautions seriously yes

Even though these protective measures are a hassle, I would not set foot in a Dentist office if it were not taking these precautions seriously

[RazzleCat]

4. I did, here is what my Dentist has done

I have been going to this DDS for over 15 years, and have bad teeth, so I go a lot. My regular cleaning appointment got bumped a few times due to covid, about 3 weeks ago got the text to make that appointment so I did. On the phone I was told to text when I arrive, if they don't text me after a minute or so to say whether I can enter or not (the office can see the parking lot, and its stand alone, so if a cars in the lot, its there for the DDS). All that to ensure no crowd in the waiting area. After in the office, have to take a quick medical check you know the form now, travel, symptoms etc plus temp check. I said been going there for a long time, so I commented that I was worried about them, as in for there health. Boy I got the tour, on what they're doing now.

1. No room is used prior to a full scrub down, then "time out" for over two hours. So after I sat in that exam room, all surfaces (including the floor), wiped/mopped, then no one enters for 2 + hours.

2. All workers are hazmat ready. N95 masks with basic surgical over it, full plastic face shield, those baggie disposable medical scrubs including the booties of course gloves. Added bonus, the DDS installed a washer dryer and a shower so employees can wash the scrubs they are wearing under the "suit" in the office and change between appointments. My oral hygienist said she tosses her scrubs in after every patient, and uses the shower before she goes home so she feels safer about interacting with her family.

3. No water, no really the spit bowl is turned off, you now rinse your mouth prior to your exam with a combo of hydrogen peroxide and listereen for a bit over a minute, then spit it in your dixi cup, the liquid is then transferred in to a medical waste jug.

4. My normal cleaning involves the following, first they put that suction tube in you mouth, then they have a "high pressure water pick" type device that they use. Not this time, no suction, and no high pressure water. It was the old scrape it off only, with that listereen hydrogen peroxide solution on cotton rounds used to wipe as they go, with again all the waste going into a medical waste container.

5. I only had a cleaning so I am unsure what they do about other procedures. But I will say, I was very comfortable with what they were doing in the office. For myself as the customer, and for all employees. In some ways I am more worried about how long they can afford to due everything that they are doing. Some of it is a one time expenses, the washer dryer and shower facility. But the extra costs of having rooms unused, the extra disposable medical scrubs, N95 masks, and extra medical waste disposal fees have got to be hurting their bottom line, if they have to continue I know they will also have raise there fees (its reasonable to expect), I am lucky, I have good dental and a long term relationship with them, so they accept a "down payment" rather than full payment.

[appalachiablue]

6. Thanks for the terrific and thorough report. With this information

we know what to look for and expect in dental offices these days.

In a few weeks I have an appt. with a new practitioner and I'm ready!

[question everything]

7. I have. Finally. A March appointment was postponed several times

until two days ago. I get my teeth cleaned every three months and now it extended to seven! but was OK.

Interesting, a new hygienist - at least for me, I am a new patient - started with polishing the teeth. Her reasoning was that it removes whatever tartar and bacteria are loose. OK with me.

I also had a crown restored. Everyone was covered, of course, and a plastic "door" was at the entrance of each work room.

No one in the waiting room. I had to call from the car before I was told to, yes, come up.

[appalachiablue]

11. Good to know, thanks.

[d_r]

8. kids with braces

have to have regular appointments with orthodontist also

[lark]

9. Although it's quite difficult, sometimes you just have to go even during a crisis.

I got a big chip in my back molar in April when everything was shut down. It took me 3 weeks to find a dentist that would see me and then another week waiting for an auth. before they'd do the work. The dentist was appalling, didn't take care of me right and filled the dead tooth so I got an infection a few days later. I wouldn't go back to him for anything, he kept talking about how he couldn't wait for things to open so he could permanently ditch the mask and tht CV19 is a hoax. Seriously, he said that! So then it took 2 weeks to find another dentist willing to fix the mistake of the first dentist, and another week afterwards to get the root canal done. It's been 3 weeks and the 2nd dental office closed. More hassle, but the 3rd dentist finally agreed to take over all my dental care & I have an appt for the missing crowns (tooth has big hole in it right now, boo) next week. Damn good thing I have a fairly good immune system!

[appalachiablue]

10. What a hassle you had, an incompetent and denier. I've

had good luck with dentists, although a visit with one a couple years ago raised red flags. But I just received a good referral which will work out hopefully. I'm the 'Root Canal Queen,' at least in the family, lol.