Has anyone gone to the dentist in 2020?

[Sogo]

Last edited Sat Jan 16, 2021, 03:47 PM - Edit history (1)

I just had a tooth break off and am freaking about the need to go to the dentist. Before 2020, I was regular every six months with my cleanings but skipped everything in 2020. I'm really feeling scared about going to have it taken care of, as I can't imagine how they keep you safe re COVID. There's no pain, just feels like a giant crater in my tooth!



UPDATE:

Thank you all. I was looking for the encouragement and reassurance you've given here.

I didn't plan not to go have this taken care of and feel easier about doing so now.

[Biophilic]

1. Yes, and both times was well taken care of.

They are more afraid of you than you are of them. I have 2 different dentists and both had taken extreme precautions for both themselves and their patients. Check with your dentist, I suspect they will be happy to tell you about what they are doing to keep both their patients and themselves safe.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. I did. My dentist's office has taken precautions (sanitation, PPE, temperature checks,

social distancing, etc.).

[elleng]

3. I have, and will return Jan. 29.

It's a small office, and they control the traffic and environment well.

[dchill]

4. I went in November. Had a tooth pulled...

... everything came out OK. Everyone was masked.

[tanyev]

5. I went in August.

I felt like they were taking lots of precautions. Dentist & hygienist were in full PPE. They had me wait in my car until they were ready to take me straight back to the exam room. They were leaving a certain amount of time between patients in each room, but I made sure to get their earliest appointment, because that still seemed safer.

[pamdb]

6. dentist

I've been to the dentist for a cleaning and a root canal AND a crown. I had one of the dental hygienists tell that they do all this stuff already (mask, plastic shield, gloves) so except for taking your temp when you go in and having hand sanitizer there if you want it, it really isn't any different for them. Also, you have to call from your car when you get there-no waiting room anymore. No sweat.

[RainCaster]

7. Yes, it is very safe

One of my daughters is in dental school right now, and the new protocols they are teaching make it very safe. There is now an extra vacuum hose to pull away any infectious spray. Plus plastic shields between stations, and more.

[MiniMe]

8. I have.

They were very careful. Mask on until you are seated in the dentist chair. Everybody is a bit paranoid, which I thought was a good thing. I had a chipped tooth and while I was waiting to go, I had a crown come off. Luckily, I felt it fall off so I could just take the crown with me.

[leighbythesea2]

9. Safe

My dentist office is like a lab in hazmat suits. My elderly mom who is high risk and in my care, went 2xs in 2020. I have not let her go anywhere else, but dental work needs attention. You must go. I had 1 break in 2019, its a bad feeling.

[frazzled]

10. Yes, and I'm still here to tell the tale

My dentist’s office emailed their rigorous COVID policies, and I decided to go in for the cleaning they’d canceled for me last April (they completely closed down then, except for emergencies) and had rescheduled for August.

The technician was wearing 2 masks plus shield, and ended up doing a cleaning by hand, with tools, rather than the spray water thing, which was potentially dangerous.

I’d been scared to go, but felt safe once I was there. For a broken tooth, Id go, or at least call.

[lkinwi]

11. I've been to the dentist and periodontist.

Both were more diligent about protection than my medical clinic.

[Ferrets are Cool]

19. +1

[Buckeye_Democrat]

12. Same happened to me months ago.

Part of a molar is now gone.

I even had a 6-month cleaning that was already scheduled a few weeks afterward, and I still cancelled it.

It doesn't hurt, thankfully, despite how the break went deep.

[uppityperson]

13. I did and was much more concerned about them than me

They used half the rooms they did before, had windows open. They cleaned more thoroughly, left more time between patients, and then rotated rooms that were in use.

For them, they are exposed to us patients. Mine showed me their high pressure suction attached to their drill, and they had the straw suction in my mouth the whole time.

[secondwind]

14. Once, in March or April inSF, for my quarterly cleaning.

Alas, I’m now in the Caribbean, and still hoping to go for a cleaning soon.

[orangecrush]

15. No but

I've taken people.

[turtleblossom]

16. Three times. First 2 were before the virus spread everywhere.

I have another appointment coming up next month.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

17. Yes, in October, for a necessary exam. Dentist and technicians all wearing face maks and shields.

I was very nervous about it but it was fine.

[Ferrets are Cool]

18. Several times. They are fantastic.

All the precautions I could ever wish for. I felt safer in there than in the Doctors offices I went into with my wife who has cancer.

[Sogo]

20. Thank you all. I was looking for the encouragement and

reassurance you've given here.

I didn't plan not to go have this taken care of and feel easier about doing so now.

[Evergreen Emerald]

21. Just yesterday!

I broke a tooth and was in such pain, I could not wait for a Covid vaccine. Everyone wore a mask. I sat in the car until they brought me into the office. No waiting area. When filling out paperwork, they gave me a new pen. They took my temperature. I washed my hands often with the nearby sanitizer. And, was placed in a separate room to wait until the surgeon was ready. I think it went well. They were very careful. They did provide a warning notice that there is a risk of Covid because they use water in surgery that causes the germs to float longer and further. Yikes.

I did not have a choice due to the pain.

Good luck!

[genxlib]

22. I went for exactly that reason

Had a tooth break off at the gumline. It was a very old root canal and it just weakened and broke. When I was there, they discovered another tooth that needed a root canal so I spent a lot of time in the dentist office last year.

They were super careful with all of the gear.

In truth, I felt like I was more a danger to them than they were to me. I was the one without a mask breathing right in their face.

Good luck.

[Irish_Dem]

23. Yes, three times! It was amazingly safe.

I had number of dental problems that had to be dealt with.
The dentist and staff were amazing and totally focused on Covid safety.
Staff has to wear their double masks and eye screens at all times.
They have to eat lunch in their cars in the parking lot.

Careful screening before your appointment.
You have to wait in the parking lot until called in for your appointment.
No one else in waiting room.
Must use hand sanitizer as you come on.
Very expensive HEPA filters running in every room.
You are given mouth rinse to kill germs before you open your mouth.
Also there is a vacuum tube they put near your mouth to pull out any germs you may have in your breath.

You leave our the back door so you do not have to go through waiting room or walk by front office staff.

I went three times and did not get Covid.

Check with your dentist to see what procedures are in place.

I also had to have a number of other medical procedures and conditions were very safe.
I know I did not get Covid as some of the procedures require Covid testing before hand and I never tested positive.

[CTyankee]

31. Mine was safe, too, just as you laid it out. Very careful. Wearing shields.

dentists aren't taking any chances.

[Irish_Dem]

34. Exactly, that was the feeling I got. They are not messing around, not taking any chances.

One of the dental assistants said that the dentist who owns the practice had spent a fortune on all the Covid prevention equipment.

[CTyankee]

35. It's worth it if your reputation and livliehood are at stake.

Plus it's just the right thing to do!

[Irish_Dem]

36. Yes if the patients and staff start getting Covid, there goes your business.

Yes and it is the right thing to do.

[Cousin Dupree]

24. Twice. They are very careful. You wait in the parking lot until they're ready.

They wear masks,shields and gloves. No one in waiting room. Straight into the exam room when you get in there. I felt comfortable.

[Wawannabe]

25. Yes

And everyone was real careful. Also they had a rinse for me to use first thing. Had to swish for over 30 seconds and no big rinse. Got the spray and spit ok.

I love my dental tech. She is so happy and we get on very well. Also, I don’t have insurance for dental and one of my caps was lose. Dentist came in and cemented it back for free!

[montanacowboy]

26. Yes, had extensive work done

felt very safe

[Midnight Writer]

27. Yep, twice and it was fine. Interesting thing is they used a 3-D printer to make custom rigid

plastic frames custom made to the contours of each hygienist's face. They put these frames on over their masks to create a tight seal. In addition, they wore transparent face shields.

[tanyev]

32. Wow, what a great idea.

[XanaDUer2]

28. Yes and I was fine

[Paladin]

29. Nope. Not until after I get vaccinated. (nt)

[CTyankee]

30. Yes! I LOVE my dentist. He's a really nice guy and a HUGE Democrat.

I had to have an extraction the week of the attack on Capitol Hill and I was upset to the point of crying. He was so gentle and kind. I love his staff too. One held my hand during the extraction. So sweet!

[MOMFUDSKI]

33. Went in June in Milwaukee

because I had the most painful saliva gland STONE. Was awful. Then went about a month ago to have a hurting tooth ex-rayed but turned out it was my sinus, which the dentist pointed out has a nerve traveling right down into that upper back molar. And husband went for a cleaning few weeks ago. We escaped with minor injuries all three times. So now I am working up the courage to make a cleaning appointment. Also saw the doc in October and all was fine. So there you go.

[DesertRat]

38. Yes! I was very nervous too

They limited the people in the waiting room and treatment areas. They all wore masks and shields and the rooms had extra air purifiers. I only went because I had to (I had a crown break and needed a replacement). I felt very safe and well taken care of. I'm going back this week for my routine cleaning.

You'll be fine and glad you had it taken care of.