Is it safe to go to the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Here at Downtown Dentist San Francisco, we get calls like this. Every. Day.
The short answer is yes. The long answer is, you’re actually putting your health more at risk by delaying your dental appointment.
At the beginning of 2020, most of us were open for emergency dental work only. But now, the CDC, ADA, and CDA have lifted those restrictions to allow regular dental procedures such as teeth cleanings.
But should you go?
Dentists and all health care professionals are working during the pandemic, and we’ll be the first ones to tell you that it is safe to go to the dentist for a cleaning or any other procedure you may need.
Neglecting your dental health can lead to more issues that could land you in the hospital— which is the last place you want to be right now.
To put your mind more at ease, take a look at the safety precautions we’ve put in place. You can also see the case studies that help us make your trip to the dentist a safe and secure experience.
What the ADA and CDA have to say about it
Like the rest of the world, the dentists here in California are subject to strict regulations by the ADA (American Dental Association) and the CDA (California Dental Association). The CDA keeps close tabs on California’s case numbers for new COVID-19 cases to determine protective measures and restrictions for dental offices across the state.
The latest statewide shutdown (November 2020) has not affected our offices.
All of our employees at Downtown Dental SF are required to wear face coverings, whether they work at the front desk or with patients. The CDC has a special Guidance for Dental Settings which states that our employees must:
Wear eye protection in addition to their facemask to ensure the eyes, nose, and mouth are all protected from exposure to respiratory secretions during patient care encounters, including those where splashes and sprays are not anticipated.
Use an N95 respirator or a respirator that offers an equivalent or higher level of protection during aerosol generating procedures.
Is it safe to go to the dentist? Case studies show…
So far, no cases of COVID-19 have spread in dental offices since March 2020.
In fact, “…both the World Health Organization and the CDC say there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmitted in a dental office so far.”
Scientists are also actively studying what tools and procedures should be in place to prevent the spread of COVID in dental offices. Because so many people are asking if it is safe to go to the dentist, our office has taken all of these suggestions (see below) to ensure your safety.
Delaying your dental visit? Not so fast.
Not going to the dentist leads to bigger risks such as gum disease and cracked teeth. There was an exponential increase in gum disease and cracked teeth announced all over the US during this pandemic.
Our increased stress this year has led to more teeth grinding. The fear of visiting your dentist has led many to ignore tooth pain, gum bleeding and other irregularities that may need treatment right away.
Downtown Dentist San Francisco’s Safety Precautions
Our safety precautions at Downtown Dentist San Francisco align with those recommended by the CDC and ADA. Dr. Stefka Petrova makes sure that her staff and her patients remain in a safe and clean environment.
This includes requiring all employee face shields, N95 masks, surgical masks, and perform COVID screenings prior to and at the time of appointments. Any employees or visitors who show signs of sickness are requested to stay at home.
Downtown Dentist SF FAQ’S
Are dentists open during the COVID-19 pandemic in California?
Most dental offices remain open for all services in California. Give us a call to schedule your appointment.
Is it safe to go to the dentist for a cleaning?
Yes, it is safe to go to the dentist for a cleaning. We encourage body temperature measurements, use oral rinses with 1% hydrogen peroxide, and use specific PPEs. We also clean our surfaces with Ethanol between 62% and 71% and sodium hypochlorite between 0.1% and 0.5% for the best disinfectant results.
Are dentists working during the pandemic?
We are! You can come in for an emergency or standard appointment at our address at 450 Sutter Street Suite 1220 San Francisco, CA 94108.