Posted by Dr. Daniel Vasquez on Dec 23 2021, 09:21 PM
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a significant change in the routine of almost every one of us. One major aspect that has seen a significant change is how patients visit their healthcare providers, including dentists. With COVID-19 cases increasing every day, many Americans try avoiding non-urgent medical visits to limit their potential to exposure to the virus. However, this is not advisable as delaying regular dental checkups and emergency dental care is a problem in its own right and can lead to complex oral health issues in the future.
Many people doubt visiting dentists during COVID-19 as dental treatments involve sitting face-to-face with the dentist maskless and open-mouthed for an extended time. However, despite these concerns, everyone can be assured that visiting the dentist is safe, even during a pandemic. Here's why.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, a few changes have been made to how dental consultations are conducted in our dental office. However, it is essential to note that even before the pandemic brought about new sanitation rules, dental practices were always compliant with the safety standards and infection-control measures to ensure that all the patients had a convenient and safe visit.
Here are some of the measures that we always emphasize and have paid more attention to during the pandemic:
Additional Measures
In addition to the safety measures mentioned above, our dentistry has also enacted numerous pandemic precautions. This includes the following:
We assure you that we have been strictly following all safety guidelines from the ADA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the transmission of the virus. Our patients can confidently visit our practice for all the dental services - preventative care, cosmetic restoration, and emergency procedures.
Avoiding visiting the dentist because of the fear of contracting the coronavirus could risk the entire oral health of the patient. The risk of developing oral problems if patients don't visit the dentist is higher than the chance of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus at a dental office. Non-severe conditions can also worsen if left untreated for long. Without regular preventive care, patients are more likely to have their dental issues become an emergency. Hence, we advise everyone to visit their dentist to get the dental concerns treated and for routine checkups.
However, the decision of whether or not someone should go to the dentist is ultimately their personal decision. Consider your own level of comfort with the current pandemic and do what feels best for you and your situation. The comfort and safety of our patients matter to us the most. We are ready to happily answer any questions our patients may have in your mind regarding the steps we have taken to make dental visits safe and secure.