Since the AIDS epidemic started, dentists must wear gloves during most dental operations, especially the surgical ones. After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, dentists are required to up their sanitizing standards even more.
Your next dental visit will probably be quite different from what you are used to. There will likely be no waiting rooms, and there will be way fewer people than “normal.” The ADA has provided new guidelines for COVID-19 dentist, and here you can expect during your next dental visit.
Before the Appointment
The dental clinic will probably call you before the appointment. They will ask you several questions about your oral and overall health. Please ensure to answer these questions truthfully. Additionally, they might repeat the questions once you arrive at the dental clinic to ensure that nothing has changed between then and that day.
In most cases, you will be asked to limit the number of people you go to the dental appointment. That means you may need to leave your younger child with a nanny or ask the older children top take care of them. Also, there is a possibility you will need to wait in your car and wait for your turn. That way, the dental clinic staff will be able to limit contact as much as possible.
During the Appointment
If you are required by law to wear a mask in your state, please bring one into your dental visit. It is actually wise to wear a mask even if you are not required by law. A mask can help limit the spread of the virus, and it does not harm wearing one, especially when you are around new people.
You will be asked to wait outside for a few minutes, and they will call you to the clinic when your time comes. When you enter the clinic, they will take your temperature and record it somewhere. If your temperature is within the normal range, you can see the dentist.
If the temperature is higher than usual, you may be advised to take a COVID test before proceeding. It is safer when the dentist knows your COVID status so he can handle you appropriately without putting you, himself, and other patients at risk.
When you enter the dentist’s office, you will probably notice that the waiting room is no longer the same. The chats, magazines, and toys that used to be available in most dental offices may not be available anymore. Instead, you will probably find a hand sanitizer, and you will be asked to sanitize your hands before starting the consultation.
On the dentist’s chair, things will be a bit different too. For example, you may realize that the dentist’s computer keyboard is covered with a disposable cover that is changed with every new patient. The dentist will also probably be using a different protective gear from the ones they used to use in your previous visits. The gear could include a different mask, goggles, and shield. These additional gears are meant to protect the dentist, not make you feel uncomfortable.
After the Appointment
After you leave the dental office, the clinic staff will clean the area with disinfectants in preparation for another patient. This action ensures that any virus attached to some things patients touch while in the clinic is eliminated. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Please remember that it is still vital to continue maintaining proper dental hygiene even during the pandemic. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year. Also, continue protecting yourself and others from the virus.