Another dentist here. I think it's been mostly covered by others, but it's a really safe environment.
There are still no documented cases of Covid transmission from patient to dentist or vice versa in the UK to date.
That been said, like any workplace, those sitting too close to each other at lunchtime etc etc have the potential to transmit viruses. In our practice we have staggered lunch hours, and it's mandatory to wear masks etc and social distance in between procedures.
Another couple of points. Those concerned that in some cases windows arent open. Well I can't speak for everyone, but recently we invested heavily in a super doubler industrial sized extraction/ventilation system fit the practice, enabling 15 air changes per hour without the need to open a window. Just as well, as it's bloody freezing just now.
It's also important to note that dental practices have always been ahead of the game regarding PPE, well ahead of most other healthcare workers. It's always been standard to wear surgical masks, visors s d single use gloves way prior to this latest health crisis. Indeed the anti viral wipes commonplace in most workplaces? Dentists have been using them for years. We've borne the brunt of HIV, Hep C and CJD to name a few in the last thirty years or so, and have always treated each patient as if they are a carrier.
When we do Aerosol procedures, we now wear FFP3 masks, either disposable or reusable, something like a respirator/stealth mask etc. Someone above commented that these needed further protection by using a surgical mask on top of respirator. Most recent research has suggested that this is t advisable ( but each practice individual standard operating procedures might be slightly different). There is a suggestion that the extra mask inhibits wearer's breathing function. Plus it's been advised that if a visit is worn as well, that should be sufficient.
If a patient or staff member contracts Covid, and is in contact with a team member in a dental practice, they do not need to self isolate as long as full PPE was worn. So ( to pick up on a past post), it's not the case that track and trace need to investigate and send staff home to isolate. Each case is considered individually.
Fallow times are adhered to, following recent research by SDCEP and FGDP. With documented air changes greater than 10, only 10 minute fallow is required now, and this starts from the moment the dentist puts down the drill, so for instance, if a dentist then takes ten minutes to place a filling, technically the fallow time has ended by the time the filling is completed.
The surgery still needs to be scrubbed down. This includes cleaning every possible object within the surgery. It's very thorough. Takes two staff members ten minutes to complete.
I hope this helps to reassure.