How To Stay Safe During Covid-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed peoples’ lives. Not only all the outdoor activities have come to a complete standstill, but people are also now afraid of going outside – even for medical or dental checkups – and rightly so. But there is nothing more important than your health and wellbeing. If you are one of those people who are wondering whether they should visit their dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic, then read on. This article explains why it is safe to visit your dentist for a checkup, even during the lockdown.

Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned During Covid 19?

Yes. There are strong links between dental health and overall body health so you need to ensure that your teeth are cleaned professionally at least once a year by a dental hygienist. Professional cleaning can clean underneath the gum line and reach areas you simply can’t get to at home. This helps to keep bacteria and plaque at bay which in turn reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Your dental hygienist may switch from electronic/ultrasound cleaning techniques to manual cleaning during the Covid 19 pandemic, this is to reduce aerosols, known as AGP ( aerosol generating procedures). This just as an additional layer of safety and security for you.

Is It Safe To Go To The Dentist UK? 

As the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, most of the dental practices were closed as a part of the National Lockdown for 12 weeks for non-emergency cases. However, since then, dental offices are open fully functioning. According to the British Dental Association, it is safe to visit your dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because dentists are trained in preventing and controlling cross-infection, and they have measures in place – even before the pandemic hit – to prevent the spread of infection. So, it is perfectly safe to visit your dentist in the UK. 

What Are The Guidelines For Dental Visits During Covid 19?

 The National Health Service has set the following protective guidelines to ensure the safety of the dental team and the patients during COVID-19:

• Risk Identification – before setting an appointment, the dentist or the members of the dental team must identify the high-risk patients such as the elderly, or those who have interacted with a known COVID-19 case. Only those patients are called for face to face dental appointments who do not show any symptoms. 
• Physical Distancing – Guidelines ask the patients to ensure physical distancing of at least 2 metres. The waiting area for patients must be disinfected regularly, and the seating arrangement should be done in a way that allows optimal implementation of social distancing measures – in the waiting rooms and during dental treatment. 
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) – all the dental office staff are required to practice good hand hygiene and wear masks and face shields at all times. The dental team members should wear personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of their team members and staff. The PPEs provide a barrier that prevents the transmission of the coronavirus from one person to the other. 
• Cross-infection Prevention Protocol – dentists are already trained to prevent infection spread in the dental office, by sterilising the dental equipment, and disinfecting the operatory and all things that come in contact with the dental team or the patients. The NHS advises dentists to adopt stricter infection control protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 
• Waste Disposal – as per the NHS, all clinical waste should be considered toxic and must be labelled and disposed of properly. 
• Ventilation – dentists are also required to install vents that prevent infection transmission through the aerosol generated by dental instruments like the dental handpiece and the scalers. Through optimal ventilation of the fresh air.  

Should I Go To The Dentist For Nonurgent Appointments?

The short answer – yes. While the dental practices were only treating urgent cases during the first phase of the coronavirus lockdown, dental offices are now open and they are accepting all patients. This is because scientists and medical professionals now know much more about COVID-19, and how to prevent it. That is why dentists in the UK have undertaken all the necessary measures to prevent its spread in dental settings. Hence, it is safe to go to your dentist for a checkup or treatment. 

When it comes to your oral health, you must never take it lightly. Now that all the dental offices in the UK have opened fully, you should be visiting the dentist regularly for checkups. There is also no harm in seeing your dentist for non-essential dental procedures like fillings, crowns or veneers, as it is perfectly safe to do. In fact, if you keep on postponing the non-essential procedures, they may eventually turn into bigger dental problems requiring emergency treatment. 

What Should I Do In A Dental Emergency During Coronavirus?

Dental emergencies can happen at any time – lockdown or no lockdown. What is more important that you should know what to do in case of a dental emergency. According to the American Dental Association, dental emergencies are potentially life-threatening situations that require immediate dental treatment, such as severe pain, infection, or uncontrolled bleeding. 

If you or a loved one is having a dental emergency, the first thing is to minimise the damage. If there is bleeding, place a clean cloth over the region and apply gentle pressure over it. In case of a knocked-out tooth, try to put it back into its socket. If that is not possible, simply preserve the tooth in a jar of milk or any commercial tooth-preserving solution. You may also keep it inside your cheeks so that it remains bathed in saliva and is not damaged. 

Next thing is to call your dentist as soon as possible. If the emergency happens during business hours, you may be able to see your dentist right away. For out of business hour emergencies, call on your dentist’s emergency helpline and seek advice. If you cannot find any dental practice open nearby, simply walk into a hospital ER to seek emergency treatment, or call NHS 111 if not sure what to do. 

If you are looking for a dental practice in Surrey that follows all COVID-19 precautions set by the local and national health care agencies, look no more. At Horsely Dental, we offer high-quality dental services to our patients while ensuring the highest level of cross-infection prevention protocols to keep our patients and staff safe. Whether you wish to get your teeth whitened, or you want tooth coloured fillings, we provide all dental services under one roof. Book a free consultation with us today and let us take care of your oral health and smile.