Is it Safe to Visit the Dentist During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
At Avalon Dental, we take your safety seriously. We’re open and serving patients and we’re taking special safety procedures to ensure the safety of you and your family. As such, we have implemented certain precautions to limit the spread of coronavirus between patients. We’re taking every possible precaution to protect you, your family, and our staff members, and to provide you with excellent dental care, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this post, we address some frequently asked questions from our patients regarding COVID-19 and visiting the dentist office.

Why It Is Important You Keep Your Dentist’s Appointment
Part of staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic means keeping up with routine dental visits. Many people have postponed dental appointments for over a year. At the same time, a large percent of people have been eating less healthily during the pandemic. Dentists have seen more cases where a small, treatable cavity has grown into issues that can lead to infections, root canals, and even death. Gum disease that is left unattended have lead to serious periodontal infections and tooth loss.

Given the seriousness of this pandemic, it is essential that you take care of your dental health during these unprecedented times by maintaining your oral health to help reduce the risk for other diseases. For example, if not treated, tooth decay is a leading cause of heart disease and diabetes. These underlying conditions could make you susceptible to contracting COVID-19.

Helpful Tips For Taking Care Of Your Teeth At Home During COVID-19:

  • Keep hydrated and eat less sugar and sweets to maintain your oral health.
  • Avoid foods that can easily damage or crack your fillings or teeth like chewing on ice, bones and shells, or brittle candy.
  • Maintain everyday dental hygiene and oral care. Brush and floss your teeth twice, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash daily.

Is It Safe To Go To The Dentist?
Dental clinics are a relatively safe place to visit thanks to the strict disinfection policies in place.  But there are still situations where you should postpone your appointment if you are feeling ill or have any of these mild or severe COVID symptoms:

Fever, Chills, Dry Cough, Nausea, Sore Throat, Shortness of Breath, Diarrhea, Fatigue, Muscle Aches

If you have these symptoms, it is best for your health and everyone else’s that you do not go to the dentist so as not to put others at risk for transmission. We recommend that you contact us to reschedule your dental appointment.

Things We’re Doing To Keep You Safe
You can learn more about the steps we’re taking to protect you during your dental visit below:

  • Enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) for our staff including N95 masks, isolation gowns and scrub caps.
  • HEPA Air Filter in all rooms and waiting areas.
  • Plexiglass Sneeze Guard Clear Acrylic shields at the reception desk.
  • Pre-patient health screening prior to patient dental appointments.
  • Patient temperature screening with infrared thermometer during check in.
  • Paperless forms, check in and check out to reduce time spent filling out paperwork in office.
  • Hand Sanitizer stations throughout the office.
  • Patient mask policy in all waiting areas.
  • Appointment Staggering (minimal contact and waiting with other patients at the same time as your appointment)
  • New patient isolation suction system “Dry Shield” for procedures to dramatically reduce the amount of saliva and aerosols spread. 
  • Staff health evaluations and temperature checks each day. 
  • All dental instruments cleaning through an ADA compliant 3 step process including wipe down, 30 minutes ultrasonic cleaning, and 45 minutes autoclave heat-pressure sterilization.
  • Strict disinfection of common areas including waiting room, bathroom, door handles, front desk counters on a cleaning regimen daily.
  • Extensive wipe down of all clinical rooms with medical grade surface disinfectants between every patient.
  • Additional clinical barriers including single-use dental chair covers for extra protection.

What About My Future Appointments?

If you are feeling sick and need to reschedule, please let us know at least 48 hours before your appointment!
We will do our best to accommodate you with a new appointment time.
You can always book online anytime as far as 6 months out: