WASHINGTON: Is it safe to visit the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic? Dentists can’t eliminate all risk, but they are taking steps to minimize the chances of spreading the coronavirus. You’ll likely notice changes as soon as you enter the office. Many dentists have removed magazines from waiting rooms, for […]
WASHINGTON: Is it safe to visit the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic? Dentists can’t eliminate all risk, but they are taking steps to minimize the chances of spreading the coronavirus.
You’ll likely notice changes as soon as you enter the office. Many dentists have removed magazines from waiting rooms, for example, as well as some chairs to encourage social distancing.
They also are spacing out appointments to avoid crowding their offices.
You may be asked to arrive for your appointment with a facial covering and to wait in your car until equipment is cleaned and the dentist is ready. Before receiving care, you can also expect staff to take your temperature and ask about COVID-19 symptoms.
Procedures are changing, too.
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Some dentists are charging for all the extra gear, so ask in advance if you should expect extra costs.
Coronavirus is spread mainly through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze.
Dental care requires close quarters and procedures that can generate a spray of saliva and water.
To reduce risk, dentists are returning to manual tools for procedures like teeth cleanings, instead of other instruments that may do the job faster but create more of that spray.
Staff also have started wearing masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment. Some dentists are charging for all the extra gear, so ask in advance if you should expect extra costs.
As the pandemic spread earlier this year, dental offices in the U.S. mostly closed, except for emergency care. By the end of June, nearly all offices had reopened, according to surveys by the American Dental Association.
Unlock 2.0 Making You Nervous? Here’s How You Can Keep Reopening Anxiety At Bay
Time Full Of Uncertainties
3 Jul, 2020
Unlock 2.0 comes as a welcome relief after months of being stuck indoors. But even as shops, saloons and workplaces open, there is a spike in virus-induced anxiety that people are feeling.According to the latest LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index, less than one-fourth of millennials are ready to go back to the office and would prefer working remotely until they felt safe being around other people. In addition, uncertainties around economic recovery, job security, personal safety and the impact on compensation continue to weigh heavily on everyone’s minds.With all the uncertainties that lie ahead, it makes sense that people are feeling increasingly on edge. If this sounds familiar, here are a few strategies you can use to help keep that ‘reopening anxiety’ at bay.
Stay Protected
3 Jul, 2020
While we can’t control going back to the workplace or what people around us may do, we can control our own actions. Wear a mask, maintain (at least) an arm’s length distance, take the stairs instead of the elevator, wash your hands frequently. Educating yourself and ensuring that you’re taking the recommended precautions wherever possible will help you manage your anxiety.
Get Back Into A Routine
3 Jul, 2020
Implementing a routine can help create healthy habits that can ultimately put you in a better headspace. If possible, try to mimic the routine you were following before the lockdown. This will help you adjust better as everything reopens.
Find The Why
3 Jul, 2020
Spend some time figuring out what’s making you anxious. Is it a health concern, a job concern, loneliness, lack of poor sleep at night? Identifying the underlying fear can help you target the root cause of the anxiety rather than continuing to address the symptom. Once you’ve figured it out, you can identify steps to take.
Don’t Focus On Worst-Case Scenario
3 Jul, 2020
Dwelling on what could happen only feeds into your anxiety. Instead of anticipating the worst, remind yourself what is or is not in your control. Focus on small actions you can take to alleviate that anxiety.For example, if you’re worried about job security, try updating your resume or reaching out to one LinkedIn Contact. While it may or may not amount to anything, just the action will help you feel calmer.
Hospital in California, United States Dignity Health-California Hospital Medical Center is located in the South Park district of downtown Los Angeles, California at 1401 S. Grand Avenue. The 318-bed community hospital has been serving downtown and its neighboring communities for well over a century. Dignity Health-California Hospital Medical Center is […]
