Should I go to the Dentist during the Coronavirus Outbreak?

The care and safety of our patients and the safety of our team is our top priority. Based on recommendations from the ADA and TDA. We want to assure you that our office has even further heightened our already extremely rigid sterilization standards in order to virtually eliminate the possibility of disease transmission to you, our valued patient and our outstanding team.

Your dental care and urgent concerns are important to us and we are here for you and want to make

sure that your needs are taken care of. Please call (469) 291-7023 to arrange for any emergency care, dental care, or to answer any of your questions. Our practice aims to assure normal business operations during this pandemic.

As recommendations are changing rapidly regarding physical distancing, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to remain informed of any updates to our practice hours or other important information.

It’s hard to ignore the media headlines fueling a surge of panic among people across the globe, even right here in the Dallas Area with recent novel coronavirus outbreaks. As health care providers we understand patients have many questions and concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19). Because your health and safety is our top priority, we want to share some insightful information with you regarding the coronavirus and what to do about going to the dentist.

First and foremost, we advise everyone to follow the guidelines of local authorities. This includes following physical distancing protocols (six ft. distance). While inconvenient, physical distancing is a proven way of lessening the impact COVID-19 can have on our healthcare system, reducing mortality rates, and mitigating the spread of disease.

The best way to protect yourself is to practice frequent

hand washing hygiene (washing with soap for at least 30 seconds),the scrubbing during hand washing is what will eliminated the bacteria and germs on your hand. Hand Sanitizer will also help but ONLY if it contains at least 60% of alcohol. Covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow, and staying home if you are sick.

The TDA and CDC reports that the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and lung diseases are most at risk of becoming very ill from COVID-19. We encourage you to speak with your primary care physician for specific concerns regarding your health and risk of contracting the virus if you have an underlying health condition.

Should I go to the dentist for a dental cleaning during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Our current recommendation at Brilliant Dental is to follow the guidance of health organizations, public health officials, and your individual dental office.

This doesn’t mean that you should stop taking care of your teeth and gums. However, the immune system starts in the mouth. The TDA reports that gum disease affects nearly half of adults in the U.S. and there are severe health risks associated with poor oral health, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cognitive decline that leads to Alzheimer’s. While the outbreak of COVID-19 may have people panicking, the health threats associated with poor oral health are also serious.

What if I have a dental emergency, should I go to the dentist with the threat of coronavirus everywhere?

Toothaches and dental emergencies always seem to happen at the most inconvenient time, and they won’t stop just because of a viral outbreak. Ignoring a dental emergency is not advised, especially if you are in pain. Dental pain could indicate an infection that could easily spread to your brain or heart and become life threatening. If you experience dental pain of any kind, we urge you to call our office (BRILLIANT DENTAL) to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

For dental emergencies that aren’t painful, such as a minor chipped tooth or loose crown, our office will maintain our regular office ours, with our dentist. An exposed tooth, such as from a broken tooth, loose crown, or filling that falls out, could result in pain or cause further damage to the tooth.

How does Brilliant Dental protect patients against coronavirus?

At our general dentistry practice in Richardson Tx, our doctors, and each of our team members is trained in OSHA standards for cleaning and sanitizing our practice, including patient rooms and all equipment used for patient care. Our office uses EPA-approved disinfectants specially designed for use in a healthcare setting to kill viruses and bacteria, and other blood-borne pathogens.

Also, our dental care team members that provide direct care to patients wear protective gear, including gloves, surgical masks, and goggles for eye protection. These efforts help minimize the risk of transmitting germs from one patient to another.

We also adhere to the TDA and CDC hand hygiene recommendation for washing our hands thoroughly and between treating patients. These sanitizing and sterilization methods are in effect REGARDLESS of whether a patient presents with an infectious disease. For us, the coronavirus outbreak does not alter how we disinfect and clean our practice, because we always take necessary precautions that protect our patients and keep them safe.

When should I not go to the dentist?

For the safety of our dental care team and other patients, we ask that you call our office prior to coming into your appointment if you have a fever, cough, traveled outside of the country recently (or been in close contact with someone who has), or been in close proximity with an individual that has a received a positive test result for the coronavirus.

If you would like more information about how we care for our patients or to schedule an appointment, please call Brilliant Dental at 469-291-7023. We provide dental care to the areas of Richardson, TX and DFW AREA.