From going grocery shopping to connecting with loved ones, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed virtually everything about our lives. That includes how appointments with your dentist in Montrose will proceed. For the past couple of months, most dentists have only been seeing emergency patients on an as-needed basis. However, many of them have recently started opening up for regular procedures like fillings and cleanings. Keep reading to learn what you can expect before, during, and after your appointment these days.
Before Your Appointment
To help make sure that all patients arriving at the office are healthy, your dentist’s office may call you before your appointment and ask you some questions regarding your recent health. Just to be on the safe side, they might also ask you these same questions once you reach the office.
It’s also normal for the office to limit the number of people who are inside the practice. For this reason, you might have to wait in your car until the doctor is ready to see you. Also, you may have to leave your children at home, as they might not be permitted in the waiting room.
During Your Appointment
When you first arrive at the office, a dental assistant will likely take your temperature and ask you some general health questions. Inside the office, you might notice a lack of magazines or toys in the waiting room. This is to prevent germs for spreading on these objects from person to person. The staff might ask you to wash your hands and rinse your mouth out with an antibacterial mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide and water before you start your appointment.
Once you’re in the dental chair, you should notice that things look a bit different than normal. For one, there may be a disposable cover over the keyboard. Your dentist might also be wearing additional personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face shields, a surgical gown, and shoe coverings.
After Your Appointment
After your appointment is over, the dental staff will take great care to thoroughly clean any areas you may have touched. This helps prevent any pathogens from your body being spread to other patients.
Keep in mind that oral health is strongly connected to general health. Having an infection in your mouth, like gum disease, can prevent your body from being able to effectively fight off other infections like the coronavirus. Remember to attend dental cleanings every six months, even a pandemic. Go ahead and give your dentist in Montrose a call to schedule your next cleaning.
About the Author
Dr. Donald Tamborello has been practicing dentistry in Houston for more than 30 years. He is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, demonstrating his dedication to continuing education and clinical excellence. His practice follows all of the CDC’s protocols for keeping safe and healthy during COVID-19, such as wearing extra PPE. To learn more about the safety measures Dr. Tamborello’s practice is implementing, visit his website or call (713) 522-7540.