Going to the dentist during COVID-19

COVID-19 has changed the way we do a lot of things in our daily life. From the way that we communicate with each other to the way that we work - nothing is the same as it was just a year ago. Another thing that has changed due to COVID-19 is the way that we receive our healthcare. 

With many people avoiding doctors’ offices due to the high volume and spread of illness, many people have begun doing telehealth, which means speaking with their doctor over video chat. This can be used for check-ups, medical questions and prescription refills. This is a great way to prevent the spread of illness because it limits the number of people, especially sick ones, who are in the same space. 

Though telehealth is super helpful during this time to help us stay healthy, one thing we cannot do over video chat is visit our dentist. Since the dentist will need to examine and clean your teeth, it is virtually impossible for you to get your dental care taken care of without going into the dentist’s office.

You may be wondering if you should just skip your cleanings until things are back to normal, but many dentists are saying that you should absolutely still be going to your regular cleanings. The American Dental Association said that going to the dentist is an essential part of healthcare because it helps evaluate, diagnose, prevent and treat oral disease, which can overall affect your systemic health. 

Why the dentist is high-risk

If you think about it, going to the dentist at this time is pretty high-risk. The instruments that are being used and the overall cleaning procedure causes quite a bit of tiny water and saliva droplets to be sprayed. This means that if you have the virus, it is highly likely that you will spread it in this environment. 

Though your dentist and hygienists should be wearing appropriate gear and protective equipment, it is still a risky job that they have. Your dentist should have their own set of requirements and precautions that they are following to ensure not only the safety of their patients but the safety of themselves and their staff. So, what can you do to be sure you and your dentist are safe before your appointment? 

Precautions

Dentists usually have precautions put into place regardless, whether it is for regular cleanings, procedures, or sedation dentistry, they need to have safety guides. The first thing you should do is talk with your dentist. Give them a call and ask them what their procedures are and what they expect from you as a patient. Some might require you to have been quarantined for two weeks, others may just ensure that you don’t have a fever. The best way to make sure that you and your dentist are comfortable is by asking them their requirements. 

This may seem like a no-brainer, but be sure that you don’t feel ill at all before you go for your appointment. Many offices will check your temperature upon arrival, but you should also check at home before you go. If you have any symptoms, even if you think it might be something else, cancel and reschedule your appointment. Of course, if you have been exposed at all recently, do not go to your appointment. Your dentist and their staff will thank you for being so diligent and keeping them safe.

Practicing good dental hygiene and going to your regularly scheduled dental cleanings is super important to your overall health. Now is also a great time to work on getting certifications, as many dentists aren’t quite as busy as usual. If you are looking to get certified or recertified for minimal sedation dentistry, contact us today and we can answer all of your questions you may have about certification and minimal sedation dentistry!