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Going to the Dentist Gets Complicated in a Pandemic

Say goodbye to magazines and waiting rooms hello to face shields and temperature checks

dardespot/Getty Image Dental offices across the country are beginning to open their doors for routine appointments after postponing nonurgent care and cleanings for several months due to the coronavirus. But things are going to look a little different for returning patients. The most obvious change from a patient perspective? “It may not have that homey feel,” says Mary-Jane Hanlon, associate dean for clinical affairs at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and president-elect of the Massachusetts Dental Society. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Waiting rooms in many practices, for example, will be stripped of magazines and coffee stations. Face masks will replace friendly smiles, and bottles of hand sanitizer will stand in for complimentary bottles of water. Some offices will be without waiting rooms completely. Patients may be asked to wait in their cars until “the exact moment” they can be seen, says Mark S. Wolff, dean of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This is a standard many as they reopen for preventive care. "It's not because dentists don't want to see their happy faces — we all want to see happy faces,” Wolff says. “It's because we recognize having you come in and sitting in a waiting room with lots of people, it's not safe.” AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > And when your treatment is done, you won't be encouraged to idle by the front desk and make your next appointment. Instead, to limit the amount of time you spend in the office around others, you might get a call a few days later to schedule any follow-up care or settle any billing questions. The office may also check in about any new you may have developed to ensure staff members and other patients are safe, Wolff says.

So is it safe to go to the dentist

The biggest risk when it comes to contracting the coronavirus isn't in the office itself, especially with all of the new precautionary measures in place. To date, no COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred in dental settings or among dental health care personnel, according to the CDC. “The greatest risk is getting to our dental practice,” says Wolff — especially for patients who rely on public transportation. "It's important that you recognize that you need to protect yourself as you're coming to see us,” Wolff adds. Wear a mask on your way in, and stay at least 6 feet away from others as best you can. “If you are using public transportation, you should carry hand sanitizer with you. And any time you touch surfaces, never touch your face or eyes,” he says. It's also important to consider the urgency of your visit. If you just had your teeth cleaned before the pandemic, for example, you may be able to go a few more months before you need to be seen again. That said, many older adults require frequent cleanings, so if you are unsure whether you should schedule something soon, talk to you dentist, says Chad P. Gehani, president of the American Dental Association. “It's a form of prevention. Good general health begins with good oral health,” he says. If you've been battling a toothache or dealing with a cavity for the last several months, you should schedule an appointment sooner rather than later, because “if you wait on a cavity it becomes a root canal or an extraction,” Wolff says. Swelling, which can signal an infection, is another reason to be seen immediately, Hanlon says. And keep in mind, many dentists are still using telehealth to interact with patients. With a phone call or video chat, the dentist “may be able to allay your fears,” Hanlon says. “A great way to minimize your exposure is to try and do telehealth first and then proceed to going to the office,” she adds. Distance is “one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus,” according to the CDC. More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS