Is It Okay To Go To The Dentist During COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things, including how we live our daily lives. Regular visits to the dentist have also changed at practices, like Parker West Dental Associates, closely following all CDC safety guidelines in Plano, TX. This helps ensure that our patients and staff remain healthy during all dental work. Dr. Tim Nguyen and his staff wear personal protective equipment during comprehensive dental exams, routine dental cleanings, and dental emergencies. Coronavirus spreads through droplets in the air that can get into the eyes, nose, or mouth. Wearing masks at all times during a dental visit helps limit exposure.

What happens before your appointment?

Before your appointment at Parker West Dental Associates, we may call you to ask questions about your health. These same questions may be asked again before you enter our office. We will limit the number of people allowed at our Plano, TX facility, so please plan on attending the appointment alone, if possible.

During your appointment

When you arrive at our office, you must wait outside until we are ready for you. This will help us to reduce the number of people we have inside our office. Your temperature will be taken when you enter. We will use hand-sanitizing wipes in the waiting room and exam rooms in between patients. We also have hand sanitizer available for you to use during your visit. We follow CDC cleaning guidelines to help protect our patients and staff while providing you superior dental care.

After your appointment

At your visit, our staff will thoroughly clean all areas that were used. It’s important that if you start feeling sick in any way within 14 days of your appointment to call our office so we can properly notify others that were around you or in the office or exam room if you may have exposed them.

Is having a dental cleaning safe right now?

At Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX, we don’t suggest that you delay regular dental visits. This is because your teeth cannot heal themselves, so if you have a dental problem, it will become more painful and require more extensive procedures when left untreated. Also, when plaque is left on your teeth, you increase your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease, which is reversible. However, if we cannot detect it when it first develops, then it may no longer be treatable. This is why it’s important to continue having regular dental cleanings, even during the pandemic.

Should I come in for a dental emergency?

You should never ignore what you think is a dental emergency. Dr. Nguyen is experienced in treating a variety of dental emergencies. When left untreated, it can cause serious health problems.

Call our Plano, TX dental office if you’re having a dental emergency, including:

• Severe bleeding in the gums

• Severe tooth pain

• Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw

• Suspected infection (abscess or presence of pus)

• Broken tooth

We can safely treat a dental emergency at our dental office.

Learn more about how we keep you safe during the pandemic

At Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX, we are committed to following all CDC guidelines to keep patients and staff as safe and healthy as possible. We can explain all of the procedures we are following to protect you before you even visit our office. While keeping you safe from coronavirus is important, we believe your routine dental care is too. An efficient oral hygiene routine is more important than ever since it keeps your teeth and gums healthy at this time. To schedule routine dental care or for a dental emergency, call today for an appointment with Dr. Tim Nguyen, an emergency dentist in Plano, TX.