Is it Safe to See the Dentist During Covid-19?

dentist during covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the ways we live and work – injecting it with fear along the way. With our day-to-day tasks modified and health concerns at an all-time high, many are wondering, “is it safe to go to the dentist during COVID-19?”. 

We at The Center for Implant and General Dentistry understand. We are experiencing these same fears. 

Our clinics have always followed strict infection control and cleanliness standards, but we’ve gone beyond that due to COVID-19. We follow direction from reputable organizations including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) to ensure our practices are up to industry standards for COVID-19 precautions.

You may have seen an article from the World Health Organization recommending patients to put off nonessential dental care until COVID-19 settles. We know we did! 

This advice was a little premature though and the American Dental Association felt so strongly to that effect they responded.  Read the ADA’s response to the WHO’s article.

To summarize it basically said it is safe to visit us at The Center for Implant and General Dentistry for essential AND nonessential services. 

 

Dental Appointment Safety during COVID-19 

dentist during covid-19We have many protocols in place to ensure your safety during COVID-19 including: 

  • Screening. Everyone goes through COVID-19 symptom screening and has their temperature taken upon entering our clinics.  
  • Masking. Anyone entering our clinics is required to wear a mask. We will provide you one at your visit if you don’t have one.   
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Our teams are utilizing additional PPE to include isolation gowns, impervious lab coats, face shields, higher-level masks, gloves, and specialized products and equipment to control aerosols.  
  • Rubber dams. A rubber dam is a thin sheet your dentist can use during a procedure to help isolate one or more teeth from the remainder of the mouth, thus mitigating exposure.
  • Social distancing. Our waiting rooms have been rearranged and our clinics have modified their check-in process to minimize contact.   
  • Cleaning. In addition to standard infection control protocols, we’ve enhanced our cleaning practices, especially in our waiting rooms, bathrooms, and high-touch surfaces like pens and iPads.
  • Reduced traffic. Appointment times are staggered to reduce traffic. We are requesting that adult patients arrive unaccompanied and minors are accompanied by only one guardian. 

 

Are There Risks of Putting Off Dental Care

Delaying dental care can lead to increased issues down the road that can be detrimental to your health (and costly, too!). While it can seem risky to visit the dentist during COVID-19, it can be even riskier to put off care that will lead to more serious oral health issues in the future. Since The Center for Implant and General Dentistry follows strict and enhanced safety and decontamination protocols, it’s much safer to visit the dentist and protect your oral health than it is to put it off and risk bigger issues.   

If you have questions about your next dental cleaning or aren’t sure what to expect, our teams are happy to answer any questions. Please call the clinic to speak to a member of our team. We look forward to serving you safely!