Any dentists on here?

[Aber9]

I’m due to have a filling this week (appointment made j. December, and typically my first filling in donkeys years)

I had assumed this would be a definite not happening, but:

• as of Thursday, my dentist posted to say they were working as normal for patients who are not self isolating
• husband said to me last night that if I don’t, it might end up needing emergency treatment in a situation which could be far worse

So now I’m wondering if I should just get it sorted now while I have the option, the situation is probably more controlled than it’s going to end up and while (I’m assuming) dentists are not as stretched as they may become.

Any dentists with thoughts?

My son was due to have his braces fitted last week. They phoned to cancel in the morning. They said new guidelines were happening. I will be waiting for this to stop before taking him back

Get it done now. I needed new specs and went in to have my eyes checked, when I went back in to pick them up a couple of days later the optician said they were probably going to have to close the shop soon so thank goodness I went when I did.

Dentist here. We’ve had fuck all guidance and no PPE. Don’t go. I’m cancelling everything. I might take teeth out if it will keep someone out of a&e. It’s not safe.

I had an extraction on friday so they are still seeing patients. But they were going through everyones file and anyone with medical conditions or pregnant they were cancelling they're appointments

I have 2 friends who are dentists and they are reluctantly continuing despite being at high risk.

I have an appt booked beginning of april. On friday I had like a gum boil thing pop up. And I am worried that they will cancel my appt now. I will try and call them Monday but I think they may be closing.

My cousin is still seeing patients. They kicked a patient out for showing up with obvious sickness... Not only was she not able to perform a surgery on someone sick, the fact the isolation was talked about so often in the media for sick people, it is just unbelievable how disgusting some ppl get

DH a dentist. He is only doing emergencies if they are dire. Not enough ppe or even the correct stuff. Also got an issue with nurses not wanting to work (understandably).

He suggest phoning the practice for advice though as they will know your own individual facts and circumstances best

Guidance is changing daily though.

Name changed as I dont want my profession associated with my normal account.
I'm a dentist. It's been a constantly changing situation over the last week. My workplace is staying open to treat emergencies and do check ups. We are awaiting more advice and guidance from our professional bodies as to how to continue working over the coming weeks and months. We wear gloves and masks and eye protection but this is less than the PPE you see worn in hospitals...
Using a dental drill in someone's mouth produces an aerosol spray that is mixed with saliva, which can then hang in the air in micro droplets. This presents a significant cross infection control risk for so we are not performing procedures that involve use of equipment that produce aerosol.
It's kind of hard to do a filling without using a hand piece. But it might be possible to place a temporary filling to stabilise decay until definitive treatment can be done but depends on the situation.
I'd phone ahead and ask but I think a lot of routine dental treatment will need deferring until the peak of this pandemic has passed.

On Friday I was told by my dentist that they aren't allowed to drill because it produces aerosols and increases infection risk. I think they're postponing most work. I've been told they will call me when they can finish my treatment.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate it