The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly all professions. As the virus spreads through aerosols exhaled through the nose and mouth, many question the safety of dental offices. Fortunately, through the use of appropriate PPE and air filtration technology, dental professionals in Arlington have made it safe to go to the dentist.
Patients have asked several questions about their dental health in Arlington:
- Is it safe to go to the dentist in Arlington?
- How will dental hygienists protect themselves when working with patients?
- How will patients stay safe without a mask on during dental procedures?
- Do I still have to go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned?
- Do dental offices offer telehealth services?
Understanding the Impacts of COVID-19 on Dental Professionals
Many people are concerned about their safety while in public, so dental offices are seeing fewer patients. As dentists are not seeing as many patients as they did before the pandemic, some dental professionals in Arlington are struggling to give their employees enough hours and keep their offices open.
Along with staffing and financial challenges, dental professionals in Arlington, TX have had to make changes in their dental procedures, use of technology, and cleaning methods. They have had to reassess the time they spend with patients and how to institute telehealth services.
Protecting hygienists, dentists, patients, and the office staff is the most important health precaution in all dental health Arlington facilities. Financial difficulties can make it tough for dentists to purchase new technology or to buy the necessary PPE. Due to financial challenges, dentists need to come up with creative solutions for themselves, their employees, and their patients.
Is It Safe To Go To The Dentist?
The overall answer is yes, especially if your dental office is using strict safety protocols. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Center For Disease Controls (CDC) have guided dental offices to protect themselves and their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ADA and CDC guidelines include strict procedures for disinfecting, hand hygiene, and air-filtration technology.
Most dentists take the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety procedures seriously. After the spread of HIV decades ago, dentists and hygienists began wearing eye protection, gloves, masks, and other PPE. They also provide eye protection to patients. With the amount of available PPE, spreading COVID-19 from patients to dental health providers is difficult.
Since dental offices reopened in the late spring of 2020, a very small percentage of dentists and employees in dental offices have tested positive for COVID-19. According to the ADA journal, nearly 100% of all dental practices are using enhanced infection-control procedures, thereby making it safe to go to the dentist
The Patient Safety Challenges
For dentists, managing the safety of themselves and their employees is doable. They can provide PPE, conduct COVID-19 screening questions, and provide space for social distancing. The difficult aspect to manage is patient safety - before they enter the office.
Patients need to be honest with their dental professionals in Arlington when scheduling appointments. Patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 before their appointments should reschedule, rather than risk the health of everyone in the office. Also, patients need to be honest in their pre-screening questions before entering the office.
Rearranging Dental Practices
Dental practices look different than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Most dental offices have closed their waiting rooms and are instead asking patients to check in over the phone and wait in their cars. Most dental offices require patients to complete a series of questions about COVID-19 symptoms and exposure.
When you do enter the office, you will see all of the office staff wearing PPE and working behind plexiglass screens. At the time of your appointment, you might be the only patient in the office simply because of social distancing measures and limited staffing.
Dentists and hygienists will look more like surgical doctors than dental health professionals. They wear full PPE gear, including face shields, eye protection, gloves, and gowns. Most dental offices will not use ultrasonic scalers or other tools that create excessive amounts of spray
Some dental offices might limit their hours if outbreaks happen in their communities or if PPE is running low. As a patient, you might have your appointment rescheduled. Your safety and the safety of the dental office staff is of the utmost importance. Dental health is important, but so is the safety of people entering and exiting the practice. You can also expect that families will not be allowed to wait for each other in exam rooms or waiting areas.
COVID-19 Prevention in Dentistry
At dental offices in Arlington, COVID-19 prevention methods are strictly followed. Many offices are using more disposable tools. Reusable metal tools are sterilized, just as they were before the pandemic. Fortunately, the COVID-19 virus is easy to kill, which is why so many health officials focus on handwashing with soap and water.
Dental offices might have fewer appointments throughout the week so they can spend more time cleaning their examination rooms between patients. Between patients, all surfaces are sanitized and disinfected, including the chair, light, drawer handles, countertops, faucets, and doorknobs. Where protective covers are used, employees replace them between patients.
Since patients must remove their masks during their appointments, the hygienist and dentist are usually the only employees allowed in the exam rooms. Hygienists still clean their patient’s teeth, but they spend less time doing it. They also use fewer tools that create aerosols and spray. To keep air circulating in small exam rooms, many offices use high-tech filtration systems.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends several precautionary measures including wearing ADA-required PPE and taking extra precautions when using tools like rotary handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, and air-water syringes as they expel aerosols and sprays. OSHA also requires dental office employees to be trained in managing bloodborne pathogens, wearing and disposing of PPE, and conducting respiratory protection methods.
Dental Insurance Benefits During the COVID-19
People who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic might have lost their dental insurance. If this is the case, you can call your dentist to ask about payment plans to continue your dental care.
As so many people have had to put their dental care on hold, their insurance benefits are unused. Since many insurance plans include two cleanings as well as other annual benefits, some companies are providing credits for unused services. Other insurance companies are working with dental professionals to provide coverage for telehealth services.
Some dental insurance programs are helping providers cover the cost of PPE, new ventilation systems, and other added safety expenses. Contact your dental insurance provider if you have questions about your coverage.
Conclusion
Dental care is an important part of health care. Good oral health keeps bacteria under control, so your teeth stay strong and your gums stay healthy. But, good oral health helps more than the tissues in the mouth. Dentists check for oral cancer, as well as problems with the lymph nodes, jaw structure, and neck. Your oral health can also affect your overall health, especially the health of your lungs and gut.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the dental profession to make major changes. After implementing strict safety procedures, going to the dentist in Arlington during COVID-19 is as safe as it was before the pandemic began.