What Patients Can Expect As They Return To Dental Offices

On May 4, Missourians began having their teeth checked and cleaned at the dentist again for the first time in almost two months. Medical providers, including dentists, may now provide usual services at their discretion as part of Governor Mike Parson's Show Me Strong Recovery Plan.

Missouri dentists were never mandated to close their practices. Instead, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended all dentists postpone non-urgent dental procedures through April 30 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

"Our members were committed to doing what they had to as a profession to assist in the mitigation of COVID-19 and to adhere to recommendations from the ADA, CDC, and state and local orders," said Vicki Wilbers, Missouri Dental Association (MDA) Executive Director. 

When patients across the state begin to receive care from their dentists, they will notice a new experience intended to reduce the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Dr. Matt Mansfield, of Willow Springs Dental, spoke to Howell County News about the procedures in place in his office as he and his staff begin seeing patients for routine procedures after closing for six weeks. 

“We’re limiting the number of people in the office at any given time,” he said. “We’re asking that patients wait in their cars, not in the waiting room.” Helpers or companions to patients are also asked to wait in their car instead of coming inside with the patient.

Dr. Manfield said his office will be checking patient temperatures as they arrive and will ask health questionnaire questions to screen for COVID-19, but otherwise, the procedures will not be too different from what patients have always experienced in his office.

“We’ve always wiped counters, light switches, and handles,” he said, “We will just do more frequent disinfections. It’s really not a whole lot different. We’re just following the guidelines.”

The guidelines are those from the Missouri Dental Association, which are inspired by CDC practices.