Dental care and coronavirus: We answer your questions
Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic in France, all dental practices are closed until further notice. Nevertheless, professionals such as Le Studio Dentaire in Lyon remain available to advise and guide you in the event of an emergency. Here you’ll find answers to your questions about dental care and the coronavirus.
Why are dental practices closed and not doctors?
In recent weeks, the government has taken measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus in France. In the week preceding the start of the containment period, it was announced that non-emergency operations would be postponed in hospitals, while doctors’ surgeries would remain open for consultations. In the same vein, on March 14, the UFSBD recommended that dental surgeons halt their activities, with the exception of emergencies, which would be handled in compliance with the hygiene instructions required in times of pandemic. The Conseil National de l’Ordre des Dentistes (National Council of Dentists) then asked practitioners to cancel scheduled appointments. However, a regulation system was put in place to direct patients in emergency dental situations to voluntary on-call practices, which would receive them with appropriate personal protective equipment and hygiene measures. These measures have been taken for health safety reasons, both for patients and for care teams, since dentists are among the professionals most at risk. With the number of cases increasing rapidly, it is vital to limit non-essential travel, particularly that which carries a high risk of contamination. It is therefore not possible to go to the dentist for scaling or cosmetic care. Any treatment that can be postponed will be done so until further notice.
Can I contact my dentist during the Coronavirus epidemic?
Yes, Studio Dentaire’s dentists can be reached by email to keep in touch, answer your questions and advise you.
Dental emergencies and Coronavirus: what to do?
In the event of adental emergency during confinement, contact us by email. A teleconsultation can be organized after an initial telephone assessment. Instructions on how to connect will be sent to you via SMS or Whatsapp. At the end of this remote appointment, we can refer you to the nearest on-call practice. You will be greeted individually, so that you don’t come across other patients. If the emergency can be dealt with by prescription, your dentist will be able to send you one by e-mail, or even forward it to your pharmacy.
What hygiene measures are dentists taking to combat the Coronavirus?
Many patients are asking about emergency dental appointments during the Coronavirus epidemic, and the conditions under which they are held. Here are just a few of the many instructions followed by on-call practices:
- Appointments are staggered throughout the day to avoid patients bumping into each other. Whenever possible, the patient waits outside the surgery for a call.
- Patients are asked to put on a surgical mask and wash their hands on entering.
- Patients should perform a mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide (1%) or Betadine BDB 2% before any oral examination.
- Practitioners wear surgical masks, gloves, gowns and face shields, and perform mouthwashes before appointments.
- The office is ventilated between appointments
The usual hygiene and asepsis measures (sterilization of instruments, disinfection of surfaces, etc.) are of course always applied with the utmost rigor.
Until our dental practice in Lyon reopens, we encourage you to stay at home and take care of yourself. We look forward to seeing you back in good health!
