How to Safely Go to the Dentist During Coronavirus

Governor Cuomo announced that dentist offices can open for routine dental care throughout the state. Here's what you need to know about staying safe.

By Melissa Wickes June 18, 2020

On May 31, Governor Cuomo announced that dentist offices can reopen for non-emergency dental care throughout New York state. Dentist offices are, of course, different in nature from any other medical setting and therefore require specific steps to protect you and your family from COVID-19. Children should begin seeing the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts, and they should see the dentist every six months after that, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Since offices have been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, you or your child may be just past or getting close to that six-month visit timeline. Now that offices are allowed to reopen, you can ensure your family’s oral health is taken care of. But before booking a cleaning for anyone in your family, read about these safety measures dentists and staff are taking to keep you safe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health guidelines. Plus, you’ll find some tips and safety precautions you and your family can take to stay safe.

What Dentist Offices are Doing to Keep You Safe

Screening all patients for COVID-19 symptoms via telephone before appointments by asking questions
Triaging all patients in need of dental care before appointment via telephone
Screening patients for fever and COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at the dental office
Ensuring all patient are wearing a face covering at all times, except when actually getting their teeth cleaned
Asking patient to put back on face mask at completion of dental care
Posting visual alerts to provide hand and respiratory hygiene instructions in the office
Providing supplies for respiratory hygiene (hand sanitizer, tissues)

Installing physical barriers between reception and patients
Placing chairs in the waiting room 6 feet apart
Removing toys, magazines, and other frequently touched objects from waiting rooms
Limiting the number of people in the waiting room at one time (patients may opt to wait in the car)
Disinfecting surfaces more often
Cleaning, replacing, and covering tools between use
Covering your mouth with a rubber dental dam during cleanings
Minimize overlapping appointments in a given day
Reducing the number of staff working at a given time

Dental providers will be following a number of specific hand and respiratory hygiene precautions before entering patient rooms and after dental care is completed as well as dental equipment and cleaning recommendations. You can read more about it and about all safety precautions being taken by dental providers on the CDC’s website.

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What You Should do if You Have a Dental Appointment Scheduled:

Stay home if you’re sick
Limit the person coming with you to only those absolutely necessary
Wear a face mask at all times you are not being examined by the dentist
Maintain at least 6 feet between you and any other patients and staff at all times
If you rely on magazines in waiting rooms to pass the time until your appointment, bring one with you