The New Normal? How COVID-19 Has Affected The Practice Of Dentistry

COVID-19 changed how most companies and industries work to curb the spread of the virus and mitigate any economic fallout. While there are many businesses and other establishments that can handle their jobs remotely, dentistry is unfortunately not one of them.

As dentists, we can assist our patients by providing them with advice over the phone but we mostly need to be able to assess and see dental issues in person. We can only handle a limited number of dental issues remotely. We cannot treat broken teeth remotely and there are only so many antibiotics that can help to treat tooth pain and infection.

During the first wave of lockdown, I managed over 100 dental emergencies but realized that they were only temporary fixes. We needed to see people in person in order to help.

So as soon as we were allowed to open up, we made to following changes to help treat our patients in the safest fashion that we possibly could. 

If however, you still feel that you are not able to come into the office, I will answer your calls and concerns as best as I can remotely (Teledentistry as some would like to refer to it)

Before you come for your in-person appointment, you will need to fill out a COVID consent form and a Prescreening form. Both will be texted to you to make it simple and efficient. If you do not have a smartphone we can do it via email and of course if that is still an issue we can do it in person at the office. We like to be prepared so this is for your safety and ours. We will have you fill out the prescribing at each appointment. 

There are still some people who are not comfortable filling out these forms so PLEASE contact us before you decide to cancel your appointment. Your oral health is just as important as your mental and physical health. I know my staff are able to address any of your concerns. You will understand how safe it is to be in the office once you speak to them and see for yourself what we have done.

We do not accept any walk-in emergencies so please call us to book. Again this is for your safety, other patients and my staff as well. We no longer have a waiting room for patients as we are limited to the number of people (staff included) in the clinic. Once you arrive, you will have your temperature taken, sanitize your hands and escorted to your treatment room.

Our universal infection control protocols that we use in the treatment rooms have been extended to the common areas that are disinfected regularly.

Feel free to visit the COVID Protocol section of the website to see all the measures and steps that we have taken to make your appointment as safe and stress-free as possible.

Don’t think of it as “just a cleaning” but rather an overall health assessment and prevention of possible extensive oral health issues that can be avoided. 

Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any concerns before or after your visit. 

We are all in this together and we are all here to help.

Truly

Sharon Walden