Like many industries and professions, dentistry has changed as a result of COVID. There are new recommendations and guidelines, and dental professionals are striving to ensure the safety of patients and staff as offices open back up.
So what has changed? As a patient there are many new procedures you may encounter when you go for dental treatment or for a dental cleaning. Here are some new things you may find:
Your dentist or dental office staff calls you prior to the appointment to ask you questions. These include questions about COVID-like symptoms, any new medical conditions or medications, and recent travel. You may be asked to do a "teledental" call that includes video to evaluate the problem you are having or if an appointment is needed at this time.
You are asked to wait outside or in your car prior to your appointment, or find that you are the only person in the waiting room. In the waiting room, there will no longer be any reading materials, so bring your own!
The dental office will request you wear a mask or face covering over your nose and mouth to your appointment. How will you have your teeth worked on then? More about that in a bit.
Your temperature will be taken. A temperature of 100.4 or higher is considered a fever and you will be asked to reschedule your appointment. If you aren't feeling well, save yourself the trouble and stay home.
You will be asked screening questions, again. A lot can actually happen in 24 to 48 hours when it comes to COVID. Depending on the area and infection rate, some dental and medical offices may require patients to have COVID testing (such as a nasal swab to test for active viral infection) prior to the appointment.
You may be asked to move about the office in a certain way. Dental offices with more than one accessible entrance and exit may ask that you enter in one door and leave through another. Offices with open bay areas may ask that you take a certain route as you walk. Often, this will be explained to you prior to your appointment.
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Hygiene on Planet COVID
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Once you have gotten to this point, the dentist, dental assistant, and dental hygienist, may look like people equipped to do hazmat decontamination. Starting at the top, hair coverings, goggles, face shields, masks, respirators, gloves, full lab coats, disposable gowns, and shoe coverings are being worn over traditional scrubs.
The exam or treatment room will have some new equipment, too, such as air filter units and/or new suction equipment designed to remove aerosols formed during treatment.
You will be asked to pre-rinse with a solution of hydrogen peroxide or similar type of rinse. This is when you finally remove your mask!
You may find that your teeth are cleaned using tools different than those you are familiar with. Many dental hygienists are forgoing the use of electronic instruments, such as a cavitron, because they create aerosols that can contain the virus and take a long time to settle. Instead they are using hand scaling instruments. No worries there, your dental hygienist is a trained professional, however, it may take longer to have your teeth cleaned.
In dentistry, infection control is done in a way that treats all patients as infectious. Because a person with COVID can be asymptomatic and still spread the virus, keeping aerosols as low as possible is considered to be safer. Likewise, your dentist may treat your small cavity with methods that don't require drilling, such as silver diamine fluoride, or interim restorative materials, that require less drilling. This may depend on what is going on in your community with regard to COVID rates of infection as well as your dental condition.
Your hygienist may not be her usual talkative self. Everyone has different personalities, but dental hygienists are known to be talkers, (if I do say so myself and may be so bold to generalize.) With all the extra equipment and new ways of working, your hygienist may not be up to conversation.
These times are difficult, to say the least, and there is still much unknown about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It is important that everyone follow the recommended precautions to keep each other safe. If you are nervous about going to your dental appointment and do not have an urgent or emergency dental problem, it may be better to postpone it. If you can delay your dental cleaning or treatment, make sure you are doing your daily home care of brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing, and following any instructions from your dentist. If you must or want to go for a dental appointment, make sure to ask any questions you may have about any new procedures you are asked to follow. If you are in pain or have a dental problem do not delay to call your dentist.
This blog and post are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or advise about any dental or medical condition. Please see your dentist or doctor for any treatment you need. Take care and be safe!
