What should I do before going to my dental clinic? Will it be safe now to visit my dentist? Will the clinic be clean and safe from viral infection so I would not be infected? Probably you are one of those patients who are asking these questions before going to a dentist. Below are some informative dental care tidbits you should know before making that appointment.
Dental Safety Protocols
Since January of 2020, the first cases of Covid-19 virus in North America were reported in the United States, since then dental offices have changed their health protocols.
As the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends dental offices to stop non-urgent visits and surgeries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, they should also weigh-in the risk involved in their area while providing dental care to their patients.
Dental offices are required to follow certain safety procedures and guidelines. If you are a patient you may notice strict rules and regulations are being imposed on such dental offices.
Arrival at the Clinic:
- The office manager will approach the patient
- The hygienist or dental assistant will be checking your temperature and other symptoms
- Asking your travel history
- Asking you if possible not to bring children with you
- Limiting the number of people going inside the dentist
- Asking you to wait outside until they’re ready for you
- Calling you to meet the doctor
For dental clinics, you may observe how serious they follow ADA and CDC health and safety protocols if they:
- Have health safety entrance signage and on other proper places
- Are using sanitizers or disinfectant solutions?
- The dental staff wearing proper protective gears (face masks and face shields)
- Your dentist is not too much chatty like before
- Are the waiting room chairs 6 feet apart for social distancing?
- Placing a plastic or glass barrier between the patient and the dentist
- Equipped with state-of-the-art ‘no-touch’ equipment for anti-Covid19 safety
Risks of Putting Off Dental Care
Can I go to my dentist if it’s not an emergency? Generally, yes with some considerations. However, delaying dental care can be risky for the long-term health of the patient. There are two types of treatment namely non-urgent treatments and emergency treatments:
Non-urgent treatments or known also as elective procedures are dental works that don’t affect your health right now and can wait in good time if you are worried about COVID-19. To name a few such as:
- Braces check-up
- Regular teeth cleaning
- X-rays
- Teeth whitening, teeth treatment that don’t hurt (cavities, tooth removal)
While emergency treatment is life-threatening, if the teeth cause pain, or there is a high risk of infection treatments. Your dentist can decide if it is urgent or not. Some examples such as:
- Profuse bleeding tooth
- The pain is unbearable
- Gums, neck, or face is swollen
- Broken teeth causing pain
- Temporary broken crown
- Damaged dentures
- Brace wires that hurt
However, it is recommendable to stay vigilant and ask questions. When in doubt, call your dentist for they are just a phone away. Speak to them and let them decide if you do need to come in right now or can you wait for long.
If you still have second thoughts, you can simply consult Dr. Sonia Olivares of iSmile Coral Gables, together with her dedicated pre and post-treatment team they can help you with your dental concern either a non-urgent treatment or an emergency case at https://www.drsoniaolivares.net/online-consultation/.
Sonia Olivares is a Coral Gables’ Dentist is here to help you with your dental condition to ensure that you have the necessary information, treatments, and ongoing dental care, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic times.
Dental Care in Coral Gables, Florida | General Dentistry
We provide high- quality general dentistry, utilizing the latest diagnostic techniques, and is dedicated to patient comfort to ensure a relaxing, positive experience. Our general dentistry is designed for patients of all ages to improve the oral health of the families in our community.
Cosmetic Dentistry with Dr. Sonia Olivares
Sonia Olivares is also a cosmetic Doral dentist that focuses on restoring and improving the aesthetic appearance of your teeth and smile. Our dental spa in Doral, Florida can provide personalized, high-level care with advanced procedures to improve not only your smile but your entire life.
Cosmetic dentistry offer includes:
Contact us at iSmile Doral: 305-620-8272, and iSmile Coral Gables: 305-396-1026, or through our website at https://www.drsoniaolivares.net/contact/.
At iSmile Coral Gables and iSmile Doral, we offer our patients many payment options such as major insurance plans, convenient monthly payments, coupons and monthly specials, and all major credit cards. For dental financing, you can click at https://www.drsoniaolivares.net/payment-options/.
Sonia Olivares, your Coral Springs Dentist always welcomes new patients from Coral Gables, St. Doral and Coral Springs, Florida, and its surrounding areas.
For details and other information, check us out at https://www.drsoniaolivares.net/.
