Not only will Iowa residents be able to return to restaurants, stores, hair salons and barbershops, dentists across the state are preparing to see patients again. Those visits, however, will look a little different as these professionals work to incorporate even more preventative measures to protect their patients and staff. Dr. Jeffrey Chaffin, chief dental officer for Delta Dental of Iowa, says they are supporting the dental community as they navigate post-COVID-19 life. “The goal of the appointments are the same: to examine your teeth, gums, tongue and throat and for any signs of disease and track any issues that you might have to avoid problems in the future,” he says. “The good news is that infection control procedures are part of the normal course of dental business, the new processes simply make it safer.” Patients are encouraged to schedule their appointments soon as a backlog is likely. Be prepared to answer more coronavirus-related screening questions before your appointment as well as that day. You may have your temperature taken on arrival and you may be asked to wear a mask. Some dental offices may require patients to wait in their car instead of the lobby prior to their appointment times and to attend alone if this is possible. Doctors and their staff will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face shields, gloves, masks, gowns and head coverings and you may see dividers placed in the office areas.
