Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist During COVID 19?

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Many people have been putting off both routine and urgent medical care during the pandemic, and dental visits are no exception. But how safe is it to get your teeth cleaned or a cavity filled during the COVID-19 crisis?

According to the CDC, there have been no COVID-19 clusters associated with dental or oral surgery clinics, professional fields that have remained at the forefront of infection prevention and control. In compliance with CDC Guidelines for seeing patients for non-urgent treatment, dental practices have adopted a range of new protocols designed to keep their patients and staff safe.

Strategic patient management, enhanced disinfection procedures, and extra personal protective equipment (PPE) are just some of the measures dentistry facilities are taking to diminish health risks.

New guidelines to keep your dental visit safe

The novel coronavirus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets– secretions that can cling to the floor and surrounding surfaces. To minimize the spread of these droplets, the CDC has asked dentists to adjust procedures that aerosolize saliva and respiratory droplets as much as possible.

In some cases, this means using manual instrumentation, and when aerosol-generating procedures are necessary, they are countered with staggered wait times between patients and purification with HEPA air filters.

Patients will likely notice several other changes at their next visit. Telephone screening for symptoms of COVID 19 is standard procedure, as is the requirement for all patients to wear a protective face mask or covering.

Our patients’ safety and oral health are top priorities

Here at Long Island Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, our patients’ safety and oral health are top priority. Toward that end, we adhere to extensive protocols for protective equipment, sanitation, and work practices as outlined by the ADA, CDC, and the New York Department of Health.

Our dentists, hygienists, and administrative team have put the following measures in place to safeguard your health:

• Telephone pre-screening of all patients
• Temperature checks in-office
• Mandatory mask usage for all patients and visitors
• Social distancing practices in place
• Medical personnel PPE: surgical mask, eye protection, face shield, gloves, and gown are changed between patients
• Use of hospital-grade disinfectants for equipment and tools
• Increased cleaning and disinfection of the facility
• Staggered appointments to reduce foot traffic and patient interaction
• Reduced on-site staff
• HVAC systems updated with new filters
• Utilizing the latest protocols on equipment/environmental sterilization
• Using single-use, disposable materials whenever possible

Cosmetic dentists serving Huntington, Long Island

As experienced health professionals, we remain compliant with the latest CDC and ADA guidelines for dental practices during the pandemic. We are doing everything we can to enhance the safety of our patients and staff.

Neglecting dental hygiene or painful symptoms can have serious implications, adding cost and more extensive treatment to the equation. It’s important to continue caring for your oral health and address dental emergencies in a timely manner.

Long Island Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry offers cutting-edge solutions for a number of functional and cosmetic dentistry issues and takes all precautions to prevent infection and disease transmission.

Call our Huntington, LI office to schedule a consultation today.

Additional Resources:

1. CDC, CDC Releases Interim Reopening Guidance for Dental Settings https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/statement-COVID.html
2. ABC News, Is it safe to visit the dentist during the pandemic? https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/safe-visit-dentist-pandemic-71686995
3. New York State, Interim Guidance for Dentistry During the COVID-19 public health emergency https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/DentistryMasterGuidance.pdf