Dental Hospital Appointment

[PickledSanta]

I have a dental hospital appointment come through for the 8th December. I don't see how this can be Covid Secure with someone obviously having to be so close to my open mouth. I'm also concerned that it could mean I could be unwell/ isolating for christmas. I have 3 impacted wisdom teeth that need removing but they aren't painful or infected at the moment. Would you be happy to go or would you cancel?

Up to you, but I’d go ahead. The waiting lists at dental hospitals are stratospheric! You could wait years ( literally) if you choose not to attend. Don’t forget the staff will be equally as Covid worried as you are.
A dental nurse on £24000 a year doesn’t goto work & risk his/hers families life lightly. And neither does the consultant dentist even on £100k + a year.
They will all be wearing full PPE, protecting you, themselves and their families. If you’re asked to isolate for 48 hours after a COVID test, please do so.
Good luck

Yes I have been waiting almost a year already. I just wish I knew how safe it actually is? It just feels risky but I don't know if a lot of that is anxiety based

I had to go to the dentist this week and I was staggered at the measures in place. I had to sanitize my hands on entering the clinic and again into the room. I was given glasses to wear that were sprayed and cleaned in front of me. I was covered with paper towel around my neck etc. the dentist and DN were wearing proper respirator masks, visors, plastic aprons and gloves. The masks were so thick it was hard to hear. The dental team in the room with the me couldn’t leave whilst they were working as the room was to be ventilated etc after. When they were done I can o lu imagine the scale of the clean up.
Honestly it’s the safest I’ve felt from a CV point of view!

Thanks Orchid that is good to hear. Think my concern just comes from it being inside the hospital.

I had to have 3 dental implants last week and a sinus lift . It was fine. In fact im utterly relieved . Dental pain is no joke so i would go

Are you at more than average risk if you do get it? If not I would definitely go.

My DM has to go to a dental hospital in London fairly regularly - we have been three times in lockdown (I go with her as she's nervous about getting the train on her own). They take our temperature on arrival, we have to sanitise our hands before even going inside and they go through a checklist to make sure you don't have any symptoms. There's a very clear one way system in place. The chairs in the waiting area are well over 2m apart from each other. The consultant she sees has an apron, mask, goggles and shield so their face is completely separate from hers. The chair in the consultation room is covered in plastic sheets, as is the light, the sink and everything else; the sheets are removed and disposed of after she's been seen, plus it's all wiped down with disinfectant. Masks are worn at all other times than when she's in the chair. She was nervous about going in June but we've been twice since and it's absolutely fine. Her consultant couldn't be more reassuring and lovely.

Please don’t worry about being inside the hospital. I can assure you that the staff (receptionists, cleaner, porters, HCA, dental nurses, clinic and theatre nurses, student dentists, junior dentists, consultant dentists) are all as scared about THEIR chance of catching COVID from YOU just as YOU are from THEM.
Just read the information you have been sent about COVID testing, self isolating and act accordingly. The waiting lists are horrendous & if you’ve no additional health risks take this opportunity to attend you appointment and be treated.

I have no known risk factors so shouldn't worry too much. Health Anxiety means I an fairly concerned and cautious. I have been wfh since March. I get groceries delivered because I don't drive etc.

When our dentists has to undertake any actual dental work which included drillings or extractions, they will wear full PPE and are completely covered up, head to toe. My husband and I have both been for check ups and had hygienist appointments. They wear proper rated masks, not the flimsy ones we wear. I would definitely go to appointment. My husband was in hospital for 15 nights in April and felt very safe with the measures that were being taken.