How Safe Is It to Have Dental Work Now?

[+ Lucky]

With COVID raging, is it safe to have teeth extracted and bone grafting done? If I don't do it before the end of the month, I lose the dental coverage. But it seems safer to wait until I have been vaccinated. What do you think? Would you do it now? I am advised that the work is necessary, but waiting to do it is possible as no one knows when the bad teeth will get worse.

Delta Dental must be rolling in the dough what with dental offices closed across the country and people otherwise avoiding dentists who do open. I feel like my premiums were charitable donations to Delta Dental!

[+ Lucky]

It's hard to make sense of this, with all of its exceptions seemingly undermining the advice:

 

“Effective immediately, the City’s Health Commissioner is advising older adults and people with underlying health conditions who are at an increased risk of severe COVID-related illness to limit activities outside the home, except leaving home to travel to work or school, or for essential purposes including medical care, grocery shopping or pharmacy necessities,” the de Blasio administration said in a statement.

“The advisory also applies to household members and caregivers of these individuals,” the notice said.

“Those covered by this advisory should also wear a face covering at all times indoors and outdoors — including when around members of their own household who have known exposure to COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of the virus, or frequently interact with the public,” the statement said.

“Additionally, to limit your interactions with other people as much as possible, individuals covered by the advisory are advised not to have guests in their homes except for necessary caregivers and to avoid travel within and outside of New York City,” the statement said.

https://nypost.com/2020/12/01/nyc-urges-covid-vulnerable-to-stay-home-wear-masks-indoors/

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

I have teeth cleaned every three months and have continued to do so through COVID.

 

My dental practice is taking precaution. I feel confident they're doing the best they can.

 

That said, bone grafting/dentures/implants are a lot more invasive.

[jjkrkwood]

I have been to the dentist recently, and they were over-cautious in their handling of patients and the enviornment.... Still, if the visit is for routine maintenance, you might want to put it off a bit. however, if its a dental emergency, like medical emergencies, I strongly recommend the visit.. Putting it off could only result in more serious issues.

Edited December 1, 2020 by jjkrkwood

[+ FrankR]

With COVID raging, is it safe to have teeth extracted and bone grafting done? If I don't do it before the end of the month, I lose the dental coverage. But it seems safer to wait until I have been vaccinated. What do you think? Would you do it now? I am advised that the work is necessary, but waiting to do it is possible as no one knows when the bad teeth will get worse.

Delta Dental must be rolling in the dough what with dental offices closed across the country and people otherwise avoiding dentists who do open. I feel like my premiums were charitable donations to Delta Dental!

I called ahead - my dentist was open and indicated they were taking precautions and also insisted that I take my temperature, wear a mask and show up in my time slot. The staff had personal protective equipment and I wasnt concerned. ?

[+ sniper]

For an extra layer of precaution you could ask for the first appointment of the day as that is probably the safest time.

[jonnychgo]

With COVID raging, is it safe to have teeth extracted and bone grafting done? If I don't do it before the end of the month, I lose the dental coverage. But it seems safer to wait until I have been vaccinated. What do you think? Would you do it now? I am advised that the work is necessary, but waiting to do it is possible as no one knows when the bad teeth will get worse.

Delta Dental must be rolling in the dough what with dental offices closed across the country and people otherwise avoiding dentists who do open. I feel like my premiums were charitable donations to Delta Dental!

I was due for my every six month cleaning back in April. Obviously with everything closed, could not do it. When Fall came around, I felt a little better and went for my cleaning, exam and x-rays. I also decided to have teeth whitening as I needed some repair work. I have been perhaps six times since September. My dentist's office is immaculate, only me, the receptionist and the dentist. Receptioninst wears mask all the time. Dentist is masked, goggled, gowned, gloved and at times face shielded.

[+ Axiom2001]

 

My dental practice is taking precautions. I feel confident they're doing the best they can.

 

I have been to the dentist recently, and they were over-cautious in their handling of patients and the environment. Still, if the visit is for routine maintenance, you might want to put it off a bit. however, if it's a dental emergency, like medical emergencies, I strongly recommend the visit.. Putting it off could only result in more serious issues.

 

I called ahead - my dentist was open and indicated they were taking precautions and also insisted that I take my temperature, wear a mask and show up in my time slot. The staff had personal protective equipment and I wasn't concerned. ?

 

My experience has been similar to Benjamin, jjkrkwood, and Frank. Back in July, I had my sixth-month cleaning performed along with x-rays taken and another special treatment that was administered by my periodontist. Although I was leary in spite of all of the precautions taken, both my periodontist and dental hygienist took extra steps in keeping themselves safe as well as me.

Edited December 1, 2020 by Axiom2001

[Harryinny]

My dentist works in an office with another colleague and an assistant. They schedule not more than two patients every hour. After parients leave they sterilize the entire office with ultraviolet lights. Patients are given protective gear for their heads, shoes and are wrapped in a clinical robe and given plastic glasses. The dentists look like space travelers with masks, helmets with plastic visors, glasses and what not. Tomorrow I am having a clean up

[RunnerGuy]

Asking for a morning appointment is a great idea.

 

I've had several dental appointments in the last month. The staff are double face-masked and then face-shielded. Though they didn't require it, I tested before each visit. They also require signing a COVID waiver, as I have found with my doctor as well.

 

Guests enter through one entrance and exit out the other.

 

It depends on your comfort level but reach out to your provider and ask!

[+ Pensant]

I have teeth cleaned every three months and have continued to do so through COVID.

 

My dental practice is taking precaution. I feel confident they're doing the best they can.

 

That said, bone grafting/dentures/implants are a lot more invasive.

Same here. Same time line. Feel very comfortable with my dentist’s set-up. I haven’t given it a second thought.

[+ Lucky]

This is not a dental cleaning. It is surgery and that I think poses a greater risk. I did the cleaning at the regular dentist last month without getting anything....except a bill!

[+ nycman]

Since the virus is spread primarily by the respiratory route your exposure

won't be much different than the same you would have from a cleaning.

 

The only difference I can really think of is slightly increased risk because the

procedure is longer therefore your exposure is longer. In the end, I'd go ahead

and get the work done.

[Redwine56]

This is not a dental cleaning. It is surgery and that I think poses a greater risk. I did the cleaning at the regular dentist last month without getting anything....except a bill!

Lucky - I've had the exact same procedure done a few months ago. I put it off until summer when COVID #'s had simmered but remember that the spread is mostly through the air. I understand that you will be in the dentist chair for a longer period of time with such a procedure but your dentist will be all masked up. You obviously can't wear a mask. You should take every precaution and get it done while you can and still have coverage. If #'s keep spiking, they'll be shutting down more businesses and you may be stuck in the middle of winter in pain on a cold night with no one there to comfort you. Are you feeling Lucky?

[Redwine56]

Since the virus is spread primarily by the respiratory route your exposure

won't be much different than the same you would have from a cleaning.

 

The only difference I can really think of is slightly increased risk because the

procedure is longer therefore your exposure is longer. In the end, I'd go ahead

and get the work done.

From one nycman to another - we think alike.

[+ Charlie]

I have had bone-grafting and implants, and the individual appointments usually didn't last any longer than a serious cleaning. Since the main danger from the virus is inhaling it into the lungs rather than injecting it into the blood stream, I'm not sure that there is greater risk during extraction, bone-grafting and implanting than there is during a cleaning. The main concern is how comfortable you feel about the people who are working on you during the process.

[+ Lucky]

Having considered the options, I plan to make an appointment for the work. I will ask them about COVID safety measures they take. Thanks for the advice.

[Guest]

I don’t know your age or risk factors, but I’ve continued my 3x/yr cleanings. Remember, they’re no more interested in getting infected than you are...ask what their protocols are for employee testing.

Edited December 2, 2020 by BnaC

[Monarchy79]

Chiming in here.

 

I’ve been to the Dentist twice in the past two

months. One for a cleaning, and the other to replace some attachments for my Invisalign program.

 

Each appointment required me to fill out an online questionnaire to confirm health status, etc.

They closed the waiting area and only one customer was there at a time. Masks are required for everyone and the staff has masks and face shields on.

Once there, I’m escorted to the bathroom to wash my hands. Once I get into the treatment room, I keep my mask on, until treatment starts. The dentist has on a mask, and face shield, and each treatment room has an individual air purification system literally blowing on us, the entire time.

 

 

I’m alive and COVID negative. ?

[samhexum]

each treatment room has an individual air purification system literally blowing on us, the entire time.

 

This all sounded so much better until I realized I had passed over the word 'on' in this sentence. ???

[Monarchy79]

This all sounded so much better until I realized I had passed over the word 'on' in this sentence. ???

 

 

Well it was facing us, and I could feel it.

It wasn’t literally in my face.

 

It’s kinda hard to describe the set up.