COVID-19

We are about to mark the one-year anniversary of our nation’s collective COVID-19 shutdown. Montgomery County, Md. and Washington, D.C. – where my two practices reside – went into lockdown on March 13, 2020.

Resilience is a word that is sometimes overused, but it was definitely more appropriate than ever in 2020. I am so proud of the schoolchildren who are my patients. They learned to … well … learn in a whole different way over the last 12 months. And parents? They are my superheroes! I cannot imagine working from home while monitoring schoolwork.

I am also proud of my staff and my fellow orthodontists and dentists. Even though we know the care we provide is essential, last spring we were kept for many weeks from doing what we love and what we know is a vital service to our community. We didn’t know when our livelihoods would bounce back … or if they would.

I’m especially proud that, since our practices opened up again last summer, we have proven that our offices are safe places where patients can get routine and emergency care in a COVID-free environment.

According to a new study published in The Journal of Dental Hygiene, the estimated prevalence rate of COVID-19 in U.S. dental hygienists is low. In fact, a survey of nearly 5,000 hygienists revealed only 3.1 percent had ever tested positive or been diagnosed with the virus. Masking up keeps the virus from spreading!

That study came after one published in October 2020 in The Journal of the American Dental Association that indicated fewer than one percent of U.S. dentists had been diagnosed with COVID-19. That result was far below the rate of other U.S. health professionals. The Journal also reported 99 percent of dentists were using enhanced infection control procedures such as screening protocols when treating patients.

We are committed to patient safety.

My practices not only have increased screening protocols and disinfection practices – I am scrubbing and hand sanitizing so much now that I sleep with gloves and moisturizer on my hands! – we have altered our personal behavior outside of the office to ensure our offices stay COVID-free.

I love to travel and have not been on a plane since last February. We are not carpooling with friends and neighbors – and we are not taking car or ride shares either – and we are celebrating birthdays and other family milestones from the safety of our own homes, with only those who live under our roofs. And, of course, we are excited to report that, as frontline healthcare workers, most of us have received our COVID-19 vaccines!

We miss social interaction and vacations just like everyone else, but with so many people still unvaccinated, going on a little weekend jaunt is not worth the risk.

While our practices were deemed non-essential at the beginning of the pandemic, we also know now that dentists, orthodontists, and other oral health experts actually can help diagnose COVID-19. According to Dr. Aravindhan Karunakaran, the virus can cause lesions on the tongue that might be the only symptom of COVID-19.

I hope these measures and this academic research will reassure parents and caregivers. According to a survey by C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, 40 percent of parents have avoided seeking dental care for their children during the pandemic, citing concerns about infection, office closures, and cost.

Not only does this set a bad precedent about how children will view dentists and orthodontists long-term (they’re scary or non-essential), it threatens overall health. What happens with your teeth can impact everything from quality of sleep to heart health. And, according to a report in Dentistry Today, patients with COVID-19 and gum disease were 4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator, and almost nine times more likely to die than those without gum disease.

Dental care is essential. And during COVID-19, it is safe.

“I think I have to cancel my appointment.”

Our office has gotten that call more than once in the last several weeks, sometimes just hours before a scheduled visit. Under normal circumstances, we discourage these last-minute cancellations, but these days? Well, we certainly understand when it comes to COVID. In fact, we want you to act with extreme caution.

It is one way that you can help us keep our offices safe and help prevent community spread of this deadly virus.

As you and your family probably have seen, our offices have increased the amount of personal protective equipment we are wearing – sometimes we even don more than one mask! You’ve seen face shields (which are added protection, but should not be relied on instead of a mask) and certainly more hand sanitizer.

Dentist and orthodontist offices always are always fanatical about infection control, but we are even more so now.

And, the good news: we know it’s working.

According to a study from the American Dental Association (ADA), while dentists and orthodontist offices were shut down at the beginning of the pandemic due to fears about COVID spread, less than one percent of dentists have had the virus. That result is far below the rate of other health professionals in the United States. The ADA also noted that “99 percent of dentists are using enhanced infection control procedures such as screening protocols and enhanced disinfection practices when treating patients.”

If you are feeling well, you should feel confident about keeping your regular dentist and orthodontist appointments.

What can you do to help keep our offices free of COVID?

At home and wherever you go:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or, if you don’t have access to soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and anyone else, especially if they are coughing or sneezing;
• Limit interaction with individuals outside of your household;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze – do not use your hands; and
• Wear a mask whenever you are outside of your household.

Obviously, if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, or have lost your sense of taste or smell, call our office. We’ll discuss your health status, the dental treatment you require, and whether or not visiting our office will be safe for you, our other patients, and our staff. Please also give us a call if you’ve been exposed to someone that has had a positive COVID-19 test. That’s helpful information and we can always see you after you’ve had time to quarantine.

Third, while we know the early bird gets the worm, it also can cause crowding in our waiting rooms. Please be on time, but if you’re more than five minutes early, wait in your car or call to see if we can safety seat you.

Finally, a note about travel, which my patients know that I love! I have not enjoyed being grounded, but COVID-19 can travel with us wherever we go. If you have been out of the area in the last 14 days – anywhere – or if someone in your household has traveled, please let us know. Again, we can always reschedule!

At the heart of every doctor-patient relationship is trust and good communication. If you’re worried about coming in, or wondering if you should keep your appointment, just give us a call and we’ll talk through it. Remember: our job is to keep you and your family smiling and healthy.

Especially, in these times, we’ll understand if you need to reschedule.