Thanks for the info. Sounds like "Dentistry on Mars". :) I am due next

month....dreading it already. Just for a cleaning...I hope.

Annie, sounds like my experience last Month! Something tickled my throat during the cleaning, I put up my hand to let the hygienist know I needed to clear my throat, and she flew back in the chair a good 6‘ into the hall with a look of pure horror on her face! It was just a tickled from the cleaning, I covered my mouth with the “bib” and then she gave me a new one.

For rinsing, the little bowl wasn’t turned on. I spit into a second cup, and both were tossed into a biohazmat bin.

I’ve never felt so safe.

I had my first pandemic teeth cleaning today as well. Pretty much the same as Annie's experience except that I didn't have to sign anything and I don't think they used any kind of UV light/filter. I also made sure when I scheduled that I would be the first appointment of the day to avoid any germs from other patients. I was apprehensive going in, buy felt pretty comfortable once I got there.

Me, three, first appt since shutdown today! None of that high tech stuff, but a new kind of suction/dam thing that kept most everything in my mouth, I presume. I had a failed crown that I wanted replaced before the pandemic gets even worse and I feel even less like going. Had them cleaned, too. have to go back in 2 weeks for the permanent crown. I feel like they were extra cautious...only one patient in the office at a time and special PPE for the workers, shields at the desk, release and promise to contact them if I get the virus anytime in the next 2 weeks. Took my temp (which was normal).

I should've suggested to them that in addition to taking our temps, they should get a pulse ox and check our O2 saturation...I think that may be even more telling than a fever in some people.

Reasonable people can disagree. The dentist in my extended family is of the view that the guidelines he received from his Dental Association were less substantive and effective than he thinks really needs to be done. He views them as oriented toward being visible for patients' peace of mind than for being effective. And he told me that more substantive steps beyond what his association recommended are more expensive and may not be followed anyway. The most important thing (as far as dentists are concerned) is getting patients to sign a liability waiver.

Just as one example, it's been said that a large number of people are asymptomatic - they show no signs of illness and feel fine. What is accomplished by taking people's temperatures, other than to identify a small number of people who should perhaps defer treatment. What about the others, and those on the staff? If an asymptomatic person is on the staff, or is the patient treated before you, there can be virus aerosols in the air that you encounter.

Most dentists are small business owner/operators and no work, no pay. Many seem to be willing to take risks to get their offices back open and functioning.

Based on myself I have concerns about the temperature taking. There are probably others like myself who have a naturally low temperature, 97.2. When the thermometer reads 98.6 I have a fever.

I went to the dermatologist last week (which is why I had to return to L.A.) for a melanoma follow-up. This was a six month follow-up, and I was supposed to go in for a three month follow-up, but I was stranded in Cathedral City. My doctor agreed that it was okay that I waited the six months, but he told me to come back in three months. He did have to freeze something on my scalp, and it seems like he always finds something, and so this is an issue I have to deal with on a regular basis. The melanoma I had removed six months ago resulted in a number of stitches on my back, but it healed very well.

I avoided the sun when I was a child and never sun-bathed until I was in my 20s in San Francisco, and then only for short periods of time, as I got bored very easily. However, I did go to Mexico every winter from 1975 until 1984 while I lived in San Francisco (and spent one to two months there - generally Jan - Feb) to avoid the cold damp winters of SF and the resulting sinus infections that I was prone to there.

While I avoided sinus infections by going to Mexico for the winters, I may have exposed myself to too much sun, although I did wear sunscreen. I don't think sunscreen in the 1970s was strong enough, however, and I did not want to wear it when I went snorkeling in Cozumel.

I am still putting off going to the dentist, as I think I am doing a decent enough job of cleaning my own teeth, and I do not think it is worth the risk. I will go back once I am able to get a Covid vaccination.

My temperature, as taken at the dermatologist's office, was 97.1°, and so I am like Maifleur in that I may have a fever when my temperature is 98.6°, but I've noticed that my temperature varies throughout the day and is higher after I've been in the spa.

I had my teeth cleaned lasts week. NO extra charge. At All. I did the antiseptic, and I filled out the covid form and the dental hygenist wore extra PPE. There was a plexi shield between the receptionist and me. Only 3 chairs in the waiting room, and I was able to walk right in and sit down. OH! I forgot, they took my temp with a cheap thermometer that our store already says is useless. Even Canadian Blood Services (Im a donor) stopped using it.

"The dentist in my extended family is of the view that the guidelines he received from his Dental Association were less substantive and effective than he thinks really needs to be done."

Serious question -- What does he think needs to be done to be substantive and effective?

I have been to the dentist for cleaning and root canal this past month. I see the changes mentioned, but the dentist gives you the pen you use to sign the form (expensive "free" pen). The office is cold because the employees are wearing so many layers of protective clothing, so I wear long sleeves and socks with shoes, no sandals, even on a hot day. They also quit the flavored mouth wash and now give me a little cup of peroxide with which to rinse my mouth.

I went to the orthodontist a couple of weeks ago. I am very unhappy with how everything was handled. There were too many people in the waiting room, there were too many things I had to touch, my temp was taken through my bangs, etc. When I got home, I emailed the office and told them I was unhappy with how things had been handled. I asked that they call me before my next appointment so we could work out a better approach. I’ve heard nothing from them. If I weren’t already into them for $6k, I’d walk!

Yeah, no kidding bbstx. Just as I was saying.

Had 4 fillings a week ago...waited in the car until I was called in..temp. was taken, signed paperwork stating I was not sick, they were not responsible if I got Covid 19...I wore a mask until work was started. They had masks and face shields. I have been with this dentist for decades, felt safe and comfortable.

I was not comfortable with my dentist’s procedures. The dentist is always good about handwashing and PPE. Some extras were good: waiting in my car until called in; oral rinse; taking my temperature. Others were not so great: seemed extremely eager to reopen; receptionist was not behind a plastic barrier, she was on the phone and didn’t have her mask on when I entered; hygienist handled the container with my appliance (mouthguard) with her bare hands; they did an ultrasonic (aerosol-generating) cleaning.

I was due for x-rays but declined because I usually gag and didn’t want to be coughing in their office. It seems I was more concerned than they were about safety.

Sadly, more of the same. When prescribed procedures are viewed by some as being inadequate, and when even those aren't rigorously followed, these experiences that at best are disconcerting and at worst potentially dangerous are sadly to be expected

I was very comfortable for the most part but my dentist office is like a big u shaped building. I had to walk past two people getting their teeth cleaned in order to exit. I had a mask on but their mouths were hanging wide open. It probably took me 2 seconds to walk past each person but it still bothered me. And I'm not sure I want to be the person getting my teeth cleaned.