Can I Still Visit the Dentist During a Coronavirus Lockdown?
With the current global pandemic, many people are understandably wary about stepping foot outside their homes, including going to the dentist. However, if your condition is serious and requires urgent attention, it is advisable to seek professional dental care. The decision should be made based on the severity of your condition and taking appropriate safety precautions.
Why Visiting a Dentist is Important
If you are experiencing a severe toothache or have a dental emergency, it is not advisable to delay seeking treatment. Though it might feel safer to postpone appointments, untreated dental issues can progress rapidly, leading to more severe complications, including infections that may affect your overall health. Additionally, dental infections have been linked to heart disease, making regular dental checkups and prompt treatment crucial during the pandemic.
Risk Assessment and Safety Measures
It is essential to recognize that the virus is virtually everywhere, with transmission primarily occurring through droplets and person-to-person contact. Airborne and surface transmission have also been observed. Therefore, the inherent risk of visiting a dentist is not zero, despite the stringent safety measures in place.
Current Safety Protocols
Most dentists are taking meticulous care to minimize the risk of infection. Here are some of the precautionary measures that dentists and clinics are implementing:
Sanitization and Disinfection: The clinics are thoroughly sanitized, maintaining a clean and sterile environment. Surfaces, instruments, and equipment are regularly disinfected and sterilized. Social Distancing: Patients are kept at a safe distance from each other, and waiting areas are designed to minimize contact. Thermal Screening: Patients are screened for temperature and general symptoms upon arrival. Contactless Entry: Door handles and common touchpoints are avoided where possible. For instance, your dentist might provide hand sanitizer upon entry instead of relying on common touchpoints. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Dental professionals wear gloves, masks, and other PPE to further reduce the risk of infection.While these measures are effective, it is important to understand that no system can guarantee 100% safety. The best course of action is to make an informed decision based on your individual circumstances and the advice of healthcare professionals.
Decision-Making Factors
If you have a routine appointment due, your dentist will provide you with updated guidelines via email or phone. For example, a recent regular cleaning appointment for my daughter involved waiting outside or in the car. Upon arriving, we were handed a sanitizing lotion to use before entering the clinic. Once inside, our hands were sanitized, and we were seated away from other patients to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. These protocols not only prioritize safety but also ensure that visitors are comfortable and comply with health guidelines.
Cost Considerations
Due to the increased safety measures and higher costs associated with personal protective equipment (PPE), dental services may be more expensive. On average, a routine cleaning or checkup might cost around Rs. 2000-3000 more than usual, with PPE alone adding around Rs. 1500, a reusable N95 mask around Rs. 400, and other additional measures around Rs. 1000. The increase in costs reflects the added diligence required to ensure patient safety and the financial burden placed on dental clinics to maintain such standards.
Conclusion
Visiting a dentist during a coronavirus lockdown is a decision that requires careful consideration. If you have a serious dental issue that requires immediate attention, it is advisable to seek professional care while following all safety guidelines provided by your dentist. By staying informed and taking appropriate precautions, you can ensure that your dental health remains a priority even during challenging times.