What to Expect at Your Dental Appointment During the Pandemic

As we’ve witnessed over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed several aspects of our lives. From grocery shopping to connecting with loved ones to visiting the dentist, everything works differently than how it used to. Of course, dental practices are only taking all these additional steps to protect their patients and staff. The good news? It’s working. Studies show that COVID-19 infection rates among dentists are lower than rates for other healthcare workers. With that in mind, here’s what you can expect at your upcoming dental appointment amidst the pandemic.

Should You See a Dentist During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand whether or not you should see a dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you require dental work that doesn’t affect your oral health at the moment, you can put it off until later if you’re worried about contracting the virus. Some examples include teeth cleanings, oral examinations, X-rays, teeth whitening, and more. However, if your condition is life-threatening or causing you severe pain, you should visit your dentist right away. That includes bleeding that won’t stop, swollen areas in or around your mouth, broken teeth, damaged restorations, and more. Make sure you tell your dentist that you have COVID-19 or think you do. They’ll work with you to get you the care you need.

What to Expect at Your Upcoming Dental Appointment

Here’s what you can expect at your upcoming dental appointment:

Before Your Appointment

Your dental office may call you and ask about your health and vaccination status. They do this to ensure that patients going to the office are healthy. Once you arrive, they may ask you the same questions once again just to make sure nothing has changed. Keep in mind that you’ll likely be asked to limit the number of people you bring to the appointment.

During the Appointment

If your dental practice requires patients to wear masks, make sure you take one to your appointment. When you arrive, you’ll likely be asked to wait outside until they’re ready for you to reduce the number of people in the office. Once you enter the office, you might have your temperature taken and be asked to clean your hands with sanitizer. To help protect both you and them, your dentist will be covered head to toe in protective equipment like a mask, face shield, gown, and goggles.

After Your Appointment

Once you’re finished, someone will thoroughly clean the areas you’ve been using with disinfectants that are effective against COVID-19. It’ll help reduce the risk of illness being passed on to others. If you start showing symptoms of the virus within two days of your appointment, contact your dental office even if you’ve been vaccinated. Anyone who came into contact with you during that time could be at risk of getting sick too.

Don’t forget to prioritize your oral health, even amidst the pandemic. Rest assured – your dentist and their team will go above and beyond to make every dental appointment as safe as possible for everyone involved!

About the Practice

At Blue Coast Dental Group, we offer comprehensive, personalized, high-quality dental services that the entire family can enjoy. Our team uses the latest technologies and techniques to provide care that’s unlike anywhere else. We value the health and safety of our patients, which is why infection control is a top priority at our practice. To learn more about our COVID-19 protocol, visit our website or call (310) 424-3100.