Is it safe to visit dentist during COVID? This has been one of the most common concerns among patients since the pandemic began. Dentistry, along with the rest of the healthcare sector, has undergone significant changes in response to COVID-19. Dentists are at a higher risk during dental procedures due to the potential transmission of the virus through aerosols. During treatment, dentists work in close proximity to a patient’s oral cavity, blood, and saliva, making physical distancing impossible. To ensure patient and staff safety, dental clinics follow strict infection control protocols, including the use of masks, face shields, gloves, protective eyewear, head covers, and enhanced sterilization measures throughout every procedure.
In fact every medical field is at risk. Especially the dental professionals are at more risk due to aerosol production. The virus presents itself in respiratory droplets. Dentistry today, drastically changed due to this Covid 19 pandemic. To get dental treatment, this covid era one need to follow certain protocols.
Who Is This Article For?
If you’re wondering, “Is it safe to visit dentist during COVID?”, this article is designed to answer your concerns with expert guidance. It is especially useful for:
- Patients who are delaying dental treatment because of COVID-19 concerns.
- Individuals experiencing tooth pain, swelling, infection, or other dental emergencies.
- People planning routine dental check-ups or procedures and wanting to understand the safety measures followed by dental clinics.
- Parents seeking safe dental care for their children during or after the pandemic.
- Anyone looking for reliable information on infection control protocols and how dental clinics minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
This guide explains the precautions followed by dental professionals and shares expert insights from Dr. Arun Chamria to help you make informed decisions about your dental care.
Steps to Book Dental Appointment
Firstly one should book an online appointment for tele-consultation. It’s done to know about patients chief complaint and to confirm that one is not suffering from cold, cough and is not running temperatures. Procedures carried out in a dental field that produce aerosols would spread the saliva mixed with blood. So one has to be cautious to prevent the spread of further infection.
One can do so by not stepping out of their homes if there is no dental emergency.
For geriatric patient staying indoors and getting a consultation recommended as aged patients prone to acquire infection. Dentist will prescribe medications as per the requirements and follow up done via further tele consultation. People with dental emergencies like excessive inflammation and pain that cannot be treated with medicines need to be treated in dental clinics following covid 19 infection control protocols.
Precautions taken from COVID by Dentist at Royal Dental:
- While travelling to the clinic for your dental treatment make sure you carry your mask, sanitizer.
- The mode which you are travelling like pvt vehicle has to be sanitized.
- Travelling by Public transport done with extra caution.
- Once you arrive at the clinic make sure you sanitise yourself.
- Your temperature will be checked.
- Resting Pods or Rooms with complete privacy and an attached washroom and working space. This ensures no two patients are in the same waiting zone of the clinic, thereby reducing the chances of a cross infection to negligent.
- Details such as travel history, checking their temperature etc. are part of this now new protocol.
- Doctors and clinic staff take utmost precaution and wear PPE kits during treatment.
Is It Safe to Visit Dentist During COVID? Let’s hear what Dr Arun Chamria has to say.
In an exclusive interview with Maharashtra Times, one of India’s leading print media publications, Dr. Arun Chamria shares expert insights on a question many patients continue to ask: Is it safe to visit dentist during COVID? During the interview, Dr. Chamria discusses the experience of visiting a dental clinic during the pandemic and explains how Royal Dental Clinics has consistently maintained high standards of infection control not just during COVID-19, but for many years. He highlights the use of masks, hand sanitizers, gloves, separate treatment rooms, and strict sterilization protocols to ensure patient safety. Addressing one of the most important health concerns during the pandemic, Dr. Arun Chamria reassures patients that, with proper precautions in place, dental treatment can be carried out safely and confidently.
Dr. Arun Chamria, explains how Royal Dental Clinics has included utmost precautions, as a Standard Operating Procedure, from the very beginning. Thus whether there is an ongoing pandemic or not; there may always be chances of infections of known or unknown types.
Is it safe to visit a dentist during COVID?
Dental treatment can be safe when the clinic follows proper infection-control protocols and when patients are screened before the visit. Dental clinics routinely work with saliva, blood, aerosols, instruments, and close patient contact, so sterilisation and barrier protection are essential even beyond COVID.
A patient should inform the clinic before coming if they have fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, breathing difficulty, recent COVID-positive status, or close contact with someone who is unwell. This allows the dental team to decide whether the visit should be postponed, converted to a teleconsultation, or handled as an urgent appointment with additional precautions.
When should dental treatment not be delayed?
Dental emergencies should not be ignored. Severe tooth pain, facial swelling, pus discharge, trauma, bleeding, broken tooth with pain, spreading infection, difficulty opening the mouth, or difficulty swallowing need urgent dental attention.
Delaying dental infection can make the condition worse and may lead to more complex treatment later. In such cases, the clinic can first assess the patient on call or video consultation and then plan the safest way to manage the emergency.
What precautions should a dental clinic follow?
A dental clinic should follow standard infection-prevention practices such as hand hygiene, sterilised instruments, PPE, surface disinfection, safe suction, biomedical waste protocols, appointment spacing when needed, and proper cleaning of treatment areas between patients.
For patients, basic precautions include informing the clinic about symptoms, reaching on time, avoiding unnecessary attendants, wearing a mask in common areas when advised, and following clinic instructions. High-risk patients should share their medical history clearly before treatment.
Conclusion
Dr. Arun Chamria emphasizes that the safety of doctors, patients, and clinic staff has always been the highest priority. Addressing the common concern, “Is it safe to visit dentist during COVID?”, he explains the comprehensive safety measures followed at Royal Dental Clinics to minimize the risk of infection while delivering quality dental care. Throughout these exclusive episodes with Maharashtra Times, he answers a wide range of dentistry-related questions, shares practical COVID-19 safety guidance, discusses innovations in dental care, and provides valuable insights to help patients make informed decisions about their oral health.
So what are you waiting for, Book An Appointment by clicking here to get the smile of your dreams. Royal Dental Clinics, Mumbai; emphasises its patients to visit for a regular follow-up dental appointment. Appointment reminders on mail, call and an sms are acknowledged to manage staggered appointments and maintain social distancing norms.
FAQs
Can I visit the dentist if I have COVID symptoms?
If you have fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, breathing difficulty, or a recent positive COVID test, you should inform the dental clinic before visiting. Non-urgent dental care may be postponed. If you have severe pain, swelling, trauma, bleeding, or infection, the dentist may first assess you by phone or video and then plan urgent care with suitable precautions.
Is dental treatment safe after recovering from COVID?
In many cases, dental treatment can be planned after recovery, especially if symptoms have settled and the patient feels medically stable. Patients with recent severe COVID, breathing issues, heart problems, weakness, hospitalisation, or ongoing medication should inform the dentist before treatment. The dentist may modify the appointment duration, treatment plan, or request medical clearance if needed.
What dental problems should not be delayed during COVID?
Do not delay dental care if you have severe toothache, swelling, pus, fever with dental infection, bleeding, trauma, broken tooth with pain, difficulty chewing, difficulty opening the mouth, or facial swelling. These may be dental emergencies and can worsen if ignored. A teleconsultation can help decide whether medicines, urgent treatment, or a clinic visit is required.
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Issued in public interest
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for patient education only. Dental treatment should be planned after clinical examination, medical history review, and X-rays or scans where required. Treatment suitability, cost, timeline, healing, and results vary from patient to patient.
