We are available for Urgent and Emergency Dental Care!
As you may have already heard, the American Dental Association issued a statement on April 1st where they urged dentists nationwide to keep their offices closed to all but urgent and emergency procedures until at least April 30. This is for the safety of patients and dental staff as well as to do our part to slow the rate of transmission of the virus in our area.
What is considered a Dental Emergency?
We are scheduling and handling dental emergencies. Your health care is very important to us. Therefore, we want to ensure our patients know what is meant by a "dental emergency".
Dental care that you should have taken care of by a dentist at 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
- Denture repairs (that do not require impressions)
- Crowns and temporary crowns that have become loose
If you are not sure if your situation is an emergency, call us at (585) 225-5600 and we will get your information and work out the best approach to your situation. We are available to receive calls Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. If needed, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Your safety is our priority!
Rest assured that if you do need to come in for emergency treatment, we are rigorously following directions from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association to ensure the highest level of safety is maintained. For example, every dental chair and arm/headrest is thoroughly disinfected after each use. Replacement masks and gloves are used by the doctor and staff with each patient treated. In addition to dental tools being sterilized for each patient, all exposed surfaces are sanitized after every patient is treated.
Current Protocol for Emergency and Urgent Dental Care needed:
- Call our office. We will ask you questions and review your health history on the phone.
- We will update all personal and insurance information over the phone.
- The Dentist, Dr. Bracker, will talk to you thoroughly about your symptoms requiring care. Based on the information you provide, Dr. Bracker will give you the best professional opinion about what may be wrong, what your options are and what we can do about the situation.
- We will go over current required paperwork for any care given during the COVID-19 Pandemic which will need to be signed upon arrival.
- You will be scheduled for an appointment (no other patients should be present at the time of your appointment).
- Upon arrival, we will have you sign any required forms, have you wash your hands and immediately seat you. You will be given a face mask to wear during any time the Dr. is not directly working in your mouth.
- Dr. Bracker will take whatever X-Rays may be required to do a limited exam and properly address your situation. She will practice proper social distancing while going over your X-Rays with you.
- We will do only immediately needed treatments to resolve your specific situation.
- The Dental Assistant will input your treatment at the computer and you will be dismissed.
Important Note: It is very important that you be honest about any symptoms and possible exposure you have had to COVID-19. Should we not be able to care for you in our office due to possible exposure to COVID-19, we do have someplace we can send you to get any needed care.
Keep your mouth healthy during the COVID 19 outbreak.
Your oral hygiene health is vital to your overall health. Oral infections can lead to infections in other parts of your body. For example, poor oral health can lead to various conditions such as endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers and heart valves.) cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, pregnancy complications, and birth complications. So now more than ever, it is vital to keep your mouth and teeth healthy.
Summary
Dental hygiene is always important for maintaining good health. We hope you follow the above advice and stay safe and healthy. If you think you may have a medical emergency don't hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Susan Bracker
Family Dentist in Rochester, New York