Are you ready to see your dentist in San Antonio for a regular dental checkup and cleaning? Have you been looking to get your teeth whitened? Is it time to have your wisdom teeth removed? For months, dental offices throughout the country have only been allowed to see emergency patients. Now, as states begin to ease restrictions, dentists are reopening their practices. If you are one of the millions of individuals who are preparing for your first “post-COVID-19” appointment, you might want to review a few of the necessary changes your dentist’s office is making to ensure your health and safety.
Scheduling Your Appointment
Scheduling an appointment will now require a bit more of your time. Why? Because not only will staff need to identify an available time slot that is convenient for you as well as discuss any changes to your dental insurance, they will also perform a “pre-screening.” This includes asking a list of questions about your health and if you’ve been exposed to anyone who has tested positive or displayed symptoms of COVID-19 in recent weeks.
This is important for your dental team to know during the appointment process, as this will determine when the best time will be for you to come in for treatment. If you’ve been sick recently, you will likely be required to wait before scheduling an appointment.
If you are healthy and able to seek treatment right away, you will be asked to avoid bringing any additional guests with you to your appointment.
The Day of Your Appointment
When calling to confirm your visit, team members will instruct you on what to do when you arrive. You may be asked to alert the staff when you arrive but remain in your vehicle until someone comes out to escort you to a treatment room. Or you may be able to enter the waiting room but will discover the furniture is moved to allow for social distancing. Don’t be surprised if you do not see other patients during your visit, as your dentist may be allowing for longer appointment times to reduce the number of individuals within the office at one time.
You may also be required to wear a face mask before and after treatment but don’t worry, you won’t be the only one. From the front desk staff to your dentist, everyone will be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid contamination.
Depending on the additional precautions put forth by your dentist, you may also find there are:
- No magazines or reading material available in the waiting room
- Tissues, hand sanitizer, and masks available for individuals when they arrive
- Protective, clear barriers placed in front of front desk staff to reduce possible transmission of harmful germs and bacteria
After You Leave
Much of what occurs after you leave will include the thorough sanitizing and disinfecting of all equipment, dental instruments, and surfaces. These can include the chair, door handles, countertops, X-ray machine, and any additional objects that were touched during your appointment. This commitment to cleanliness ensures the next individual will arrive at a treatment room that is safe and ready for use.
Although it may seem like an arduous process, your dentist and dental team believe in making sure both staff and patients are protected. With your help, these necessary precautions can keep everyone healthy and free from COVID-19.
About the Author
Dr. Zachary Brice and his team at Brice Dental are ready to welcome you back! After only being able to see patients with dental emergencies for several months, he is looking forward to helping you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. Whether it is a general checkup and cleaning or placing porcelain veneers, Dr. Brice can deliver high-quality results. But amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he has added multiple precautions that are being observed and practiced every day by staff and patients to ensure a healthy and safe environment. To find out what Brice Dental is doing to keep their office virus-free, visit our website or call (210) 680-3611.