Attending dental appointment with Covid?

[IceandIndigo]

I tested positive for Covid this morning (for the first time!) with symptoms beginning yesterday - headache, cough, sneezing, blocked nose, slight breathlessness, fatigue.

The main reason I tested was that I have a dental hygienist appointment this afternoon (part of the Invisalign orthodontic treatment I'm currently having), which I have to travel to on public transport. So I thought given my symptoms the responsible thing to do was to test. It immediately came up with a very clear positive line.

I rang the orthodontist to tell them I'm positive and symptomatic and was a bit surprised to be told I need to come in as planned or I won't get my money back. The appointment cost £90 and I paid in advance, I can't really afford to lose the money. The receptionist didn't really seem concerned at all that I might expose their staff or other patients to Covid, she said the staff are all wearing masks and we are no longer in lockdown.

Interested to know what people think. Is this just the way it is now, people going about their normal daily business and nobody cares?

Really? That seems mad, whether it’s a cold, sore throat or covid - I would not want a dentist with any of them furtling around in my mouth, and having appointments cancelled all over the place because of staff illness is surely an own goal for them.

I had to postpone my last hygienist appointment because I had a cold, and they were grateful to me for doing so!

Still not allowed in my dentist with covid. Are you sure?

I would double check, if they insist at least you’ve been honest.

Our ( private ) dentist wouldn’t want you with covid .

Nor ours.

That is unheard of. Dentists don't treat people who have Covid. I think the receptionist has got it wrong.

Wow! I am gobsmacked by this...definitely check again and ask them directly if they are sure that the dentist is ok poking around your mouth when you have Covid!

Madness 🤦‍♀️

It would definitely be a no from me. I cancelled a medical appointment last week because I had a cold. Not covid, but why would anyone want to catch a bug when you're well aware you have it? It just seems like basic logic to me.

But hey, you told them, they said come in or lose your money, so if you feel well enough I guess just go?

(Yes definitely ask again as a PP said. They sound barmy.)

Thanks everyone, I was a bit gobsmacked, so I'm glad it's not just me!

The receptionist said I should send a follow up email and she would ask the hygienist's opinion, so I guess I'll wait and see what they say.

If the shoe was on the other foot, I would not want to go in for an appointment knowing I could be sitting in the waiting room with another patient who was actively symptomatic.

The receptionist isn't the one scaling in your mouth!

You shouldn't have dental treatment if you are known covid positive, providing its non urgent. It doesn't change infection control procedures such as fallow time and increased PPE.

Any Illness and you should cancel your appointment, no one wants to be in a room with aerosolised norovirus

Surely (hopefully) the receptionist has made an error. If not, wtf?!

Bit weird, but you've done your bit OP by being open about the fact you've got Covid. I certainly wouldn't take a £90 penalty to protect the practice staff if they're making no effort to protect themselves.

My dentist reception phone or text the day before the appt, to ask if you are in good health/have any covid symptoms. If yes, it's cancelled.

Similarly, if the dentist has any covid symptoms they test and positive results mean their appts all get cancelled .

The staff and patients still wear masks and patients only remove them for the dental procedure.

Update, they called me back and have now agreed to reschedule the appointment. I'm glad common sense has prevailed but I still find it strange that this was left to the hygienist's discretion, I would have expected them to have a clear policy.

My dentist sends a text the day before the appointment to check whether you have any Covid symptoms - if so you're asked to re-book. I've had to re-book my son's appointments multiple times because getting a day a pre-schooler doesn't have a cough or cold is tricky.

Maybe the hygienist has just had Covid and isn't bothered about being exposed? It seems mad though, no guarantee it was the same variant.

I would expect covid to be treated sensibly, but not necessarily with extreme caution like during the lockdown unless it concerns a particularly vulnerable person.

Sickness and the shits? Stay away from people for at least 24hr.

A minor cold? Crack on as normal.

Flu? Stay away from people until you feel well.

Covid? If definitely positive, have a couple of days away from people and crack on as normal once you feel well again.

I would go to the appointment though if I felt well enough, if the alternative was they were going to steal my money.

Glad to hear it OP, but really concerning there is no clear policy.