All health care workers on a daily basis, follow certain safety guidelines such as washing their hands and sterilizing their equipment before starting any procedure. However, on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, more strict measures are being followed to ensure the safety of each and every patient as well as the dentist in order to limit the spread of the infection, such as-
- Disinfecting all surfaces of dental equipment more often
- Cleaning, replacing and covering the equipement between uses
- Wearing protective gear
- Spacing out appointments
- The clinic staff will make you fill a form to ask about your health, travel history, check your temperature and other symptoms
- Require you to wear a face mask
- Asking about your recent travel
- Asking whether you have been around people with COVID-19
- Limiting the number of by-standers
- While in the waiting room, the staff will be equiring you to maintain a distance of 6 feet apart
- Checking for any symptoms before beginning the treatment procedure
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets which in turn spread into the air when someone coughs/sneezes. The virus is also present in the saliva. These are fluids that your dentist easily comes in contact with. Thus, these days, dental clinics are opting for airborne infection isolation rooms and rooms for one patient only. It is, thus, very much advisable to take a prior appointment before visiting the dental clinic so that the necessary precautions can be taken and maintained.
There are certain non-urgent treatment procedures which does not affect your health at the moment and can be put off until later, if you are worried about COVID-19. These procedures include-
- Teeth cleaning
- X-rays
- Teeth whitening
- Cosmetic treatment procedures
- Check-up for braces
Emergency treatment procedures, on the other hand, are taken up when there is severe pain or high risk of infection. These may include-
- High-intensity pain
- Bleeding that cannot be controlled
- Tissue that requires a biopsy
- Swollen areas in your mouth
- Broken teeth
- Temporary crown which is lost or broken
- Wires in braces that are protruding or hurting you
- Trauma
- Faulty dentures
Once the treatment has been decided, you will be asked to wash your hands, and to rinse your mouth with diluted Betadine mouthwash as a precautionary measure. All instructions will be told to you by your dentist and the required safety standards shall be maintained in order to prevent cross-contamination. Dentists use PPE including hairnets, face shields, gloves, and full-body gowns and suits while they work. PPE is changed after treating each patient to minimize the risk of cross contamination, as recommended by the current guidelines.
Another important question to be answered is-
What Precautions should one take while visiting a dental clinic?
⦁ Participate in pre and post-appointment screenings, be honest with your dentist, and don’t skip on the details
⦁ You should wear a face mask whenever possible- while walking through the facility, while discussing your consultation, and on the way out. Doing so may prevent you from unknowingly spewing infectious airborne particles and may even prevent you from breathing them in
⦁ Avoid using the restroom. If you choose to use the restroom or touch a surface with your bare hands, you should wash or sanitize your hands immediately afterwards. Also, washing your hands is important after you leave the clinic
⦁ Adhere to the appointment time and avoid getting an attendant, with an exception of dependents and children
⦁ Avoid wearing a wristwatch, jewellery, and any other additional accessories or bags
⦁ Online payments through wallets or QR codes are encouraged to avoid chances of transmission via cash or credit cards
In the meantime, it is important to look after your oral health by maintaining a healthy diet and good oral hygiene. Some steps that could be taken include-
- Brush twice daily: Spend at least 2- 3 minutes on brushing
- Use Fluoridated toothpaste: Fluoride is absorbed into the enamel and helps to repair it by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorous, required to keep your teeth hard
- Avoid sticky foods: ‘Sticky foods’ are those that provide long-lasting sources of sugar, such as hard candies, breath mints, and lollipops. These are also linked to tooth decay and should be avoided
- Drink lots of water: Water helps in keeping your mouth clean and fighting dry mouth. It washes away leftover food and residue that cavity- causing bacteria are looking for. Moreover, it also dilutes the acids produced by such bacteria
On the whole, do not worry about visiting the dental clinic, but make sure that all precautions are taken care of and do inform the dental clinic staff of your recent travel history as well as if you have or have had any symptoms of COVID-19.
Stay safe and stay healthy!
