Are Dentists Open During Coronavirus Lockdown?

The COVID19 pandemic has the world in a tight grip, having uprooted lives and triggered mayhem in some quarters. Lockdowns, for example, have become regular phenomena around the world as governments try to prevent the virus from decimating their populations. In places like the UK, non-essential businesses have been brought to a halt. This means that for many citizens, routine activities have to be put on hold. 

If you are in the UK and are due for a dental appointment, you may be wondering if your dentist is still open for business during the coronavirus lockdown. The truth is that in some ways dentists offer essential services as some dental problems can be life-threatening. But many dental procedures are also considered non-essential, leading many to ponder whether dental practices would be classified as essential or non-essential service providers.

How the UK’s Dental Care System Responded to the Pandemic

The first directive Britain’s dentists got from the government asked them to curtail the volume of routine procedures their clinics conducted daily. The second communication instructed them to cut routine procedures altogether.  

The move was necessary because the nature of dentistry makes it a potential conduit for the transmission of the virus. Because dentists must operate in the oral cavity, they are exposed to the membranes and droplets that have been fingered as the culprits behind the spread of COVID 19. Additionally, dental procedures require close contact between dental practitioners and patients, making it impossible to observe and maintain the social distancing that has been globally acknowledged as the key behavior to stem transmission.  In fact, the first outbreak in China included dental health practitioners who were infected by patients they treated. 

Unsurprisingly, shortly after the government announced the official lockdown, the British Dental Association (BDA) announced that all dentists should close all services except emergency ones.  As a result, most dentists have scaled down their services, catering only to emergencies. Needless to say, in acknowledging the seriousness of the pandemic, the nation’s dental experts have been adhering to the instructions. Unfortunately, some dental practices have closed their doors altogether in a bid to avoid the impact of the pandemic. And no one can really blame them as they take the ultimate precaution to protect their employees and patients alike.

How Will This Affect My Dental Care?

If you have scheduled cosmetic dental procedures, your practice will work with you to reschedule these for a date after the lockdown ends. These cosmetic procedures include: veneers, braces, teeth whitening, and implants. Other dental services that fall outside the emergency or urgent category are root canals, routine fillings and scaling. Additionally, if you have a toothache, sensitivity in your teeth or tooth erosion, you will not be eligible for emergency dental care during the lockdown.

What Has the Government Done to Help People With Dental Emergencies?

In response to the reduction in access to private dental labs, the UK government has established UDHs or Urgent Dental Labs to provide emergency care for people who are unable to access this care at private dental practices. Thankfully though, some dental practices are still taking emergency cases, so you might be able to get dental care in a private setting. Unfortunately, some dental emergencies may also be left untreated. According to a BBC news report dated April 8, 2020, dental emergencies such as abscesses are being left untreated because practices have limited their services or closed altogether.

As a result, many dental emergencies are being rerouted to the NHS’ Urgent Dental Hubs (UDH) around the country.  Unfortunately, the provisions have been insufficient so far for many patients with dental emergencies who find themselves in need of urgent care. 

What They Are Doing For Emergencies? 

So what are these emergencies that the UK ‘s public and private dentists treat during the coronavirus lockdown? Well here is a breakdown for you.

In general, dental procedures aimed at saving teeth and stopping bleeding are considered emergencies. Additionally, other dental conditions that can progress into life-threatening illnesses if left untreated are also considered emergencies.

Broken or fractured teeth are considered emergencies so if you find yourself in that situation, your dental practice will be able to help you without contravening the lockdown regulations. 

 Gum infections are also considered emergencies because they can lead to other serious health problems such as sepsis, which is deadly. Emergency treatments such as flap surgery, those address gum infections are still being done by dentists in the UK.

What To Do If Dental Implants Break?

If your teeth or dental implants need to be replaced or repaired, give your dental practice a call to see how you can be accommodated. Be prepared though, to undergo routines and abide by restrictions designed to ensure that both you and the employees of the dental practice are protected from COVID19. Among these restrictions is the mandatory distance between patients in waiting rooms as well as restrictions on the number of people allowed in the waiting room as well as outside the building. If you are able to travel to and from the practice by yourself, it is advised that you do so. 

If your dental practice is unable to assist you, which is likely since some practices have closed fully for the lockdown period, you’ll need to contact your nearest UDH for assistance. 

Can You Still Book Private Dental Treatment?

You can still contact your local dental practice to secure private treatment for emergency cases if they are still seeing patients. If your dental situation isn’t classified as an emergency, you will have to make your booking after the lockdown is lifted. Additionally, some practices will give you the option of booking in advance using dates that fall in the anticipated post lockdown period. Of course, the appointment will have to be postponed if the lockdown happens to continue beyond the anticipated ending date.

As the BDA advised, if you have a dental emergency, you should make a call to your dental practice to see if your regular dentist is able to see you or if they can send you to somewhere else that can.