On May 4, Missourians began having their teeth checked and cleaned at the dentist again for the first time in almost two months.
A news release says medical providers, including dentists, may now provide usual services at their discretion as part of Governor Mike Parson’s Show Me Strong Recovery Plan.
Missouri dentists were never mandated to close their practices. Instead, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended all dentists postpone non-urgent dental procedures through April 30 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
When patients across the state begin to receive care from their dentists, they will notice a new experience intended to reduce the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19.
According to an FAQ on the ADA’s MouthHealthy.org, there are some things you may expect when visiting the dentist for the first time since COVID:
· To help make sure that patients arriving for their appointments are healthy, your dental office may call you before your appointment and ask you some questions about your current health, and they may repeat these questions when you arrive to make sure nothing has changed. Some offices may conduct a teledentistry consult, through which a video-based exchange between the patient and the office team helps determine next steps.
· Your dentist’s office staff may ask that you limit the number of people you bring to the appointment, and when you arrive at the dental office, you may be asked to wait outside until they’re ready for you.
· When you enter the office, you may have your temperature taken.
· Inside the office, you may notice things people often touch in the waiting room- like toys or magazines- have been removed.
· When you’re in the dental chair, you may notice some things look different from the last time you were there. The computer keyboard may have a disposable cover so it can be easily cleaned between patients, for example. Disinfecting will be ramped up through the entire office.
· Your dentist also may be using different protective equipment than they have used at previous appointments. This could include different masks, face shields, gowns and goggles. These additional precautions help protect both you and the dentist.
For more specific information, contact your dentist.