(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Since March, 95% of dental offices have been either fully closed or only operating emergency dental care due to the coronavirus pandemic. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) advised the dentistry industry to postpone elective care with the hope that by giving the green light for dentists to only continue treating serious cases, such patients wouldn’t take up hospital beds and emergency rooms.
Now in July, there have been some restrictions loosened regarding dental care. However, there are millions of people across the country who are hesitant to take the first step and make an appointment due to concerns for their health and wellbeing. While there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases, many patients cannot wait any longer to be treated, so here are a few measures that dentists are taking to keep patients safe, alongside precautionary strategies that will reduce the risk of you developing coronavirus.
Staggering Appointments
Federal officials are recommending that dentists try their best to keep facilities below capacity. The reason for this is to promote social distancing among patients, which will reduce the risk of developing coronavirus. If you need to make a dental appointment, it’s likely that you will be escorted straight through to the clinic room, have your consultation, and then be asked to leave promptly after.
Eliminating Shared Spaces
Unlike in the past, where you would be sat in a waiting room before your dental appointment, all dentists have eliminated shared spaces to reduce the risk of the coronavirus spreading. This means that if you’re early for your dental appointment, you may be advised to wait in your car or in an outdoor area until the previous patient has finished their consultation.
Doubling Down on PPE
For dentists to perform their job correctly, they will be up close and personal with patients as they work in your mouth. When going for your next dental appointment, you should expect to see the dentist wearing a face mask and other PPE items that will keep you and others protected. Dentists should also have sneeze guard barriers installed, which can limit the transmission of COVID-19 from individual to individual.
How to Stay Safe
To keep everyone safe, the ADA (American Dental Association) and the CDC advise that you self-monitor for any coronavirus symptoms both before and after your appointment. Should you have been exposed to the virus, this will allow dentists and their teams to let patients know whether they need to be tested.
If you have a fear of the dentist, there are safety measures that you can take to keep stress levels at bay. Wearing a face mask, washing and sanitizing your hands, as well as adhering to social distancing rules will dramatically reduce the threat of you developing coronavirus.
If you are experiencing any pain or swelling in your mouth, it’s vital that you seek dental treatment immediately. All dental offices across the country understand the utmost importance of patient satisfaction and security, so following the guidelines listed above and learning more about what methods dentists are taking to keep patients safe should help you feel more relaxed about booking an appointment.