COVID-19: Going to The Dentist
The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic has change a lot of things about our day to day lives. Your visits to the dentist have changed also. During the peak of COVID-19, back in March 2020, the ADA (American Dental Association) recommended Dentist’s postpone all elective procedures until April 30th to help reduce the spread of the virus. This was also done in effort to preserve gloves, masks, isolation gowns, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for patients who need emergency treatment. The goal of this was to help keep patients who have dental emergency’s from going to the busy hospital emergency rooms.
Now that states are reopening and enough time has passed, dental practices, like us at East Orlando Dental, are seeing patients for non-emergency appointments. The ADA has developed science-based guidance for Dentist and extra steps they can take, in addition to the infection control procedures they’ve always followed, to help protect our patients and staff. Below you will find what to expect for your next appointment.
Before Your Appointment
In efforts to make sure patients are healthy upon arrival, your dental office may call before your appointment to ask question about your current health. This step is also repeated when you arrive to make sure nothing has changed.
You may be asked to limit the number of people you bring to your appointment. This means you may need to make arrangements for younger children to stay home and/or allowing older children to go into the Dentist office by themselves while their parent waits outside.
At Your Appointment
Many states and cities are requiring people to wear masks in public. Be sure to bring one and wear it to your appointment. You may be asked to wait outside once you arrive at the dental office until they’re ready for you. This helps reduce the amount of people in the office at one time and helps reduce the amount of time you are closer to other people. Once you arrive, an office staff member will take your temperature.
You may notice magazines, toys, and other things that people often touch has been removed from the waiting room. Hand sanitizer may be available to use for your hands and for items you touch such as pens, furniture, etc.
Once you sit down in the dental chair, you may notice some differences from the last time you were there. The computer’s keyboard and mouse may be covered with a disposable cover so it can easily be cleaned between patients. Also, your dentist may be using different personal protective equipment including by not limited to: masks, face shields, gowns, and goggles. Additional precautions have been added to protect you and the dentist.
After Your Appointment
Once your appointment is complete, the staff thoroughly cleans the operatory room. They use disinfectants that have shown effective against the virus causing the Coronavirus. Their goal is to reduce the risk of illness being passed to others and prepare for the next patient.
If you begin feeling sick with the COVID-19 symptoms after 14 days of your appointment, you should call your dental office and let them know. You may have been carrying the virus already during time of your appointment. Anyone who may have came in contact with you during that time may be at risk.
Please remember, dental visits regularly are an essential part of your heath. Make sure you reschedule your dental checkups once your local authorities allow you to do so. Your Dentist makes it their job to ensure your visit is safe and efficient. Make an appointment with us today! 407-282-2101
Make Your Next Appointment
We are taking new patients! Call us today to make an appointment and start your new patient paperwork by clicking this link – https://forms.patientconnect365.com/9855
Check out our other blog posts about COVID-19 / Coronavirus
Coping and Emotions During COVID-19
Ways to Help During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Can I Go To the Dentist During the Coronavirus Outbreak?
