Dentistry After COVID-19: A Glimpse at Your Next Appointment

From getting groceries to connecting with family, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives. Prioritizing health and cleanliness has also changed how we view many factors we once took for granted. For example, it’s very likely that your next dental appointment will look different than any you’ve had before. Here’s what to expect when your Far North Dallas dentist reopens.

Before Your Appointment

Infection control at a dental practice starts before you even arrive at the office. Your dental team has likely undergone additional training on COVID-19 and had their health checked. To ensure everyone visiting the practice is healthy, they may call you before your appointment and ask you questions about your current health, like:

• Are you experiencing a fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or any other COVID-19 symptoms?
• Have you recently been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
• Are you awaiting results to see if you test positive for COVID-19?
• Have you traveled recently?
• Would you be willing to limit how many family members you bring to your appointment in order to respect social distancing?

At Your Appointment

If your state or city is requiring people to wear masks in public, be sure to wear one to your appointment. When you arrive, you may be asked to wait in your car. This “virtual waiting room” reduces the amount of time you’re close to other people. When you enter, you may have your temperature taken. You may also notice that frequently touched objects in the reception area, like toys and magazines, have been removed. Your dentist may also look different than they did at your last appointment. They may be wearing different masks, face shields, goggles, gloves, or coats than you’ve seen before.

After Your Appointment

To reduce your trips outside, your dentist may offer extended appointments in order to get more dental work done in one visit. Once your appointment is over, the staff will thoroughly clean the areas you’ve been with hospital-grade disinfectants, throw away disposable tools, and use advanced sterilization methods on reusable instruments before the next patient arrives. Since COVID-19 may not present symptoms for several days, be sure to call your dental office if you begin to develop coronavirus symptoms within 14 days of your appointment.

While COVID-19 has changed many factors of everyday life, it hasn’t changed your Far North Dallas dentist’s commitment to your health. If you need to come in for dental care, you can feel confident that they are taking numerous measures to ensure your visit is as safe as possible.

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, we have always been proud to help the smiles of Far North Dallas, TX achieve optimal oral health, regardless of what dental issues they face. Our team of highly trained general dentists and specialists in pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, and prosthodontics can help you overcome whatever is standing between you and your ideal smile. We remain committed to your health in these uncertain times and will continue to provide the excellent dental care you have come to expect from us. To keep you, our staff, and the entire community safe, we have implemented a variety of additional steps to keep our practice as clean and germ-free as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach us via our website or at (972) 490-1600.