Dental Visits Are Safe, Essential
During ABC’s Good Morning America (10/19) show, medical correspondent Dr. Jen Ashton responded to viewers’ COVID-19 questions, including whether it is safe to receive dental care during the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association (ADA) say “dental care is considered essential health care,” noted Dr. Ashton, adding “dentists have been taking extreme precautions” since even “before the coronavirus pandemic.” With this in mind, “you should not delay dental care,” said Dr. Ashton.
In addition, in an opinion piece in The Hill (10/18), Dr. Jonathan Fielding, a UCLA professor of Health Policy and Management, discussed the potential impact of delayed health care. While some dental patients are delaying care due to concerns about COVID-19 transmission, Dr. Fielding stated that “dentists and the ADA have been a model of how to approach COVID-19 safety proactively.”
Important Information Regarding COVID-19
In recognition of ongoing news reports and the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, we realize our patients have questions. As dedicated health care professionals, we want you to know that we remain as diligent as ever in protecting the health and safety of our patients and staff. Our practice strictly adheres to and exceeds the standards for infection control by wearing personal protective gear, using hospital-grade disinfectants, practicing the latest sterilization protocols, utilizing single-use disposable materials, and more. Every effort we have in place is to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. We want you to know that we are monitoring this situation very closely, and we update protocols regularly as new information is learned.
Symptoms of corona virus are reported as flu-like, with varying degrees of severity. While we do not know everything about this virus to date, individuals who are elderly and/or immuno-compromised appear to be the most at risk of a severe infection. To ensure your health and safety, and the health and safety of everyone at our practice, please reschedule your appointment if you or a member of your household has a cough, fever, and/or flu-like symptoms. In addition, please reschedule your appointment if you have traveled to any areas within the past 14 days that are at high risk for contracting the corona-virus.
We thank you in advance and extend our gratitude for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can help keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office, and one of our staff members will be more than happy to assist you.
Please view and share our latest COVID-19 Symptom Comparison Chart with your friends and family.
For further information, including measures to keep yourself healthy, visit the following links: