COVID-19: Frequently Asked Dental Questions

The following article is dedicated to your COVID-19 frequently asked dental questions. We hope they help you so you can stay safe AND healthy.  Because, there is nothing more important to our Li’l Sunshine Smiles dental practice than the health and well-being of our patients, team, and community.

In order to support the American Dental Association’s recommendation, we have been postponing all scheduled appointments that weren’t considered urgent.  Consequently, many of you have questions about current and on-going care.  Here are answers to some of your frequently asked questions.

Is your office open?

The state of Florida has directed all hospitals, surgery centers, dental, orthodontic and endodontic offices to cease performing elective services until May 8, 2020. As a result of this executive order, our office will only see patients with urgent or emergency dental needs, such as dental or facial trauma, severe tooth fracture, dental pain or swelling.

If it is necessary for you to be seen, we will take the highest level of precautions to prevent the spread of infection, including the COVID-19.

Our Li’l Sunshine Smiles office will continue to closely monitor updates from the CDC, American Dental Association and our state and federal officials and keep you informed of any changes to our operations.

Moreover, the following symptoms or issues would be considered emergencies.  Meaning, these conditions would necessitate treatment at our office during this time:

• Bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Painful swelling in or around your mouth
• Pain in a tooth, teeth or jaw bone
• Gum infection with pain or swelling
• After surgery treatment (dressing change, stitch removal)
• Broken or knocked out tooth
• Denture adjustment for people receiving radiation or other treatment for cancer
• Snipping or adjusting wire of braces that hurts your cheek or gums
• Biopsy of abnormal tissue

What do I do in a dental emergency?

If you are experiencing one of the symptoms above, give our office a call at 813-576-0200.  In addition, if you are unsure about a symptom you are experiencing, you can consult with a member of our staff.  Also, to protect our staff, appointments shouldn’t be made if you are currently diagnosed with COVID-19.  Or, if you currently have a fever or have had a fever as recent as 72 hours.  In addition, please let staff know of any symptoms you are currently experiencing before you come to our office.

I have an upcoming appointment; should I still come?

Dental care for the following is being postponed until the ADA gives dentists clearance to resume these non-urgent treatments:

• Regular visits for exams, cleanings and x-rays
• Removal of teeth that aren’t painful
• Treatment of cavities that aren’t painful
• Tooth whitening

Furthermore, to protect our staff, appointments shouldn’t be made if you are  currently diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you currently have a fever or have had a fever as recent as 72 hours. Please let staff know of any symptoms you are currently experiencing (such as cough, fever, shortness of breath) before you come to our office.

Also, it is important to know if you have traveled internationally in the last 14 days or if you have been in close contact with another person who has been diagnosed with or under investigation for COVID-19.

What if I need to reschedule my appointment?

Non-urgent appointments have been postponed at this time. Furthermore, no action on your part is necessary until our office reopens to non-urgent treatments. At that time, we will reach out to appointment-holders to reschedule.

How long will your office be closed to non-urgent treatment?

At this time, our office is scheduled to be closed to non-urgent treatment until the mandated date of April 30th.

What steps are you taking to prevent the spread of disease?

The CDC recommends that “dental facilities postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures now and for the coming several weeks.” This is to prevent the spread of the pandemic, protect staff, and preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) during this time.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that dentists should use their professional judgment in determining a patient’s need for urgent or emergency care.

In accordance with the ADA COVID -19 guidelines, our office is doing the following to help prevent the spread of disease:

• Screening patients for international travel, signs or symptoms of infection when we update their medical histories.
• Including temperature readings as part of our routine assessment of the patient prior to performing dental procedures.
• Ensuring the personal protective equipment we are using is appropriate for the procedures performed.
• Using a rubber dam whenever possible to decrease possible exposure to infectious agents.
• Using a high speed evacuation for all dental procedures producing an aerosol.
• Autoclaving our handpieces after each patient.
• Having our patients rinse with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide or commercially available rinses that contain 1.5% hydrogen peroxide just prior to beginning treatment.
• Cleaning and disinfecting public areas frequently, including door handles, chairs, and bathrooms.
• Allowing any symptomatic staff members to stay home from work without fear of penalty of loss of work.

If you have more COVID-19 dental questions that haven’t been addressed in this article, please call us at 813-576-0200. Together we will make it through this time!