All doctors are within close range at most appointments. During COVID-19, this has become increasingly concerning. Don’t enter the office until you follow some steps. Obviously, everyone wears a mask. Additionally ,some people wear gloves. Your temperature should not be above. 100.4 and lower in some dentist offices. If you have been exposed to anyone with the virus, you should quarantine for at least 14 days. These are just a few of the many steps to take to avoid the virus. Some dentist offices require much more precaution. For example, you may not even be allowed to get out of your vehicle. Many dentists are choosing to send their assistants out to your car to assess you prior to entering the building. To really know best, we should ask a dentist about Covid-19 Safety and Precautions.
It is estimated that nearly 200,00 dental offices were shut down due to the virus. Many people are asymptomatic. This means that they can have the virus and never show signs. Clearly that is cause for concern. The range of days that the virus is most likely to be transmitted is 2 to 14 days. So, the proximity of patients and dentists or staff can be very risky. The main concern for reopening dental offices is how to do it safely. Taking every precaution necessary. Even some that seem ridiculous.
OSHA Recommendations and Requirements
First and foremost, dentists abide by OSHA. Or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This is a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor. Dentists take their own health and the health of their employees very seriously. But, more importantly, the patients’ health is of utmost importance. Most dental offices require a mask and gloves, along with washing your hands after touching anything someone else has handled. The employees wear personal protective equipment as well. Precautions are taken to prevent standard, contact, or droplet risks. This safety measure requires employees to wear a mask and/or face shield, gloves, masks, and disinfect every area before and after each patient. Because patients are at risk for direct exposure, and dental employees are handling oral procedures, the risk is high.
Ask A Dentist
Each city handles the virus differently. So, it is best to Ask a Dentist about their COVID-19 Safety and Precautions. First, take caution at any appointment during this time . The virus, like any health risk, is something that needs proper attention to detail. Every dentist tells their patients that precaution needs to be a priority when at your visit. It goes without saying that some of these cautionary requirements should be acknowledged during the virus and after. Washing your hands, wearing masks, and using hand sanitizer is logical when visiting the dentist’s office. After all, your dentist, and you, are within inches of each other’s face. A dental visit is one of the more hands-on type of appointments.
How Does the Virus Spread?
In general, common sense determines this. The virus spreads by infecting a person who contracts it. This happens with contact from many surfaces.
COVID-19, or Coronavirus, typically spreads through respiratory droplets. This means it spreads through coughing, sneezing, or talking. You cover you mouth when you cough or sneeze and them touch things. It can be contracted from that surface for a short time. It has not been considered airborne; however, it is contractible if you are next to someone who coughs or sneezes on you. Even if you are close enough when someone talks. Obviously kissing, drinking after someone, or shaking hands is a risk factor. It spreads like most viruses. Your body receives the bacteria through contact of some sort with an infected person. Then, you touch a part of your body that has bodily fluid that delivers the bacteria, or virus, into your bloodstream. You can contract it into your eyes, nose, and mouth if you touch them after contact with the virus.
What Are COVID-19 Symptoms?
When the virus was considered a worldwide pandemic at the beginning of 2020, there was not a lot of information. Lists of symptoms were released. The primary concern was fever, shortness of breath, and an unproductive cough. Now there is a lot more information. Having a combination of symptoms is cause for getting tested. The following list will help you determine if you should get tested.
- Fever or chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Muscle or body aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sudden Loss of Taste or Smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
The following symptoms are urgent and require going to your nearest emergency room or calling 911.
- Breathing Trouble
- Consistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Sudden Confusion
- Unconsciousness or Inability to Stay Awake
- Blue Lips, Face, or Fingernails
These can all be signs of more than just the virus and require immediate emergency intervention.
Kids show different similar symptoms. However, they are milder and present as a cold. Most children recover very quickly. One to two weeks at the most.
Ask A Dentist What to Do if You Have COVID-19
Ask a dentist how to proceed if you have COVID-19. In the case of a dental emergency, he will know what to do. The patient needs to know the dentist’s requirements. A dentist takes extreme precaution in the case of an emergency. However, it is a risk that is not worth taking if you can go to an emergency room. After you test positive, get tested when you feel better. You have to be negative to be non-risk. Each office has different requirements, but the quarantine is usually 14 days after exposure. Therefore, after infection, the quarantine time can be much longer. Furthermore, if you have been exposed, stay at home. Rather positive or negative to the virus an emergency is a priority. All emergencies can be handled at your local e.r. either by the staff available or by sending you to the closest hospital that can.
Ask a Dentist What They Consider a Dental Emergency
Don’t consider everything a dental emergency. A chipped or broken tooth for example. However, during COVID-19 that is not the case. The ADA, American Dental Association has some tips. Since March 18th of 2020 dental emergencies must be potentially life-threatening. Uncontrolled bleeding, bacterial infection, or extraoral swelling are some examples. A dental surgeon handles certain operations such as bone fractures or shattering within the oral cavity. This guidance may change with the pandemic. The ADA suggests dentists make a professional judgment as to what they consider a life-threatening emergency during the virus.
As mentioned before, please contact your local e.r. if you find yourself in an emergency. It is not worth the risk of waiting for your dentist to be available if you need immediate attention.
Pearl Shine Dental Clinic
We are located in Houston, Tx. Offering most dental services ranging from checkups to surgeries. We offer our services to everyone in the family. We welcome kids and adults alike. Dr. Charolia and Dr. Sar, along with their staff look forward to working with you. Pearl Shine offers a safe and satisfying dental visit. With extreme attention to detail, they offer an endless source for information and dental health.
Pearl Shine Dental Services
The staff and doctors at Pearl Shine consider your smile precious. They take priority in your dental health just as you do. Therefore, they offer educational information through videos and articles. Some of the information include answers to questions like the following:
And more…..
The information also covers many simple and complex dental questions and answers.
Pearl Shine provides its patients with everything they need. They want you to feel like you can receive all your oral healthcare in one place. Their services include the following:
- Checkups
- Implants
- Braces
- Surgeries
- Cold Sore Treatment
- Crown, Bridges, and Partials
- Dentures
- Root Canal Treatment
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Teeth Whitening and more….
Among these services are many more
Pearl Shine COVID-19 Precautions and Safety
Located in Houston, Tx., Pearl Shine Dental takes your safety seriously. The number one priority is the patient’s health. Therefore, we take precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Always take caution to prevent illness. The pandemic has only increased our precautions. Currently, we ask patients some screening questions before a visit. We ask some of the same questions at your appointment. We ask you to use our hand sanitizer when entering. It is available throughout the office to use as needed. We currently do not offer reading materials such as magazines. There are no toys in the waiting area as they are difficult to keep disinfected. We schedule to minimize the number of patients in the waiting room.
Call us today to schedule an appointment at 281-477-7200 . You can Ask a Dentist any questions you may have. Or visit our website at www.pearlshinedentalclinic.com
We look forward to helping you with your dental health.