The spread of the novel coronavirus is having a significant impact on local dentists.
Many are limiting their practice to emergency cases only, while others are closing for several weeks.
The Indiana Dental Association distributed the following COVID-19 guidelines, which many of the dentists said they were following either in whole or in part. The guidelines state:
Delay non-essential treatment for any patients considered “at risk” due to age (over 65) or due to compromised immune systems or other underlying health conditions.
If the dentist or staff fall into “at risk” categories, that person should consider avoiding all non-essential patient contact.
Pre-screen scheduled patients by telephone. For non-emergency care, reschedule any patients who exhibit or report symptoms of acute respiratory illness.
Encourage any staff members with symptoms of acute respiratory illness to stay home and not return to work until they are free of all symptoms for at least 24 hours.
If a dental office does not have an adequate supply of masks, gloves or other personal protective equipment, the office should reschedule patients until supplies are replenished.
To the greatest degree possible, limit the number of visitors in a reception area. If conditions allow, patients may wish to wait in their car — you can notify them by cell when you are ready to see them.
A former president of the Indiana Dental Association says he decided to keep his offices closed until April 6 after both state and federal guidelines were released last weekend. Dr. Gregory Phillips, who says the closure will cause the temporary layoff of seven employees, said it was not an easy decision.
“We are a small business, and if we don’t have patients, we don’t have income,” Phillips said. “But this is the socially responsible thing to do.”
Meanwhile, another dentist who is closing until April 6 is Dr. Jerry L. Rinehart on Northpark Drive. Earlier this week, Rinehart was seeing patients, scheduling them to limit the number of patients in one location. He was concentrating on those with emergencies such as infection, pain or a broken tooth. But after further consideration, he decided to follow the federal recommendation to close for a few weeks.
Rinehart is suggesting his six-member staff apply for unemployment, he said. And after talking with his accountant, he expressed confidence that he will be able to make sure his employees are take care of.
“What I worry about are the many people in Columbus who live from paycheck to paycheck,” Rinehart said. “They can’t afford a gap in their income.”
Both Columbus Pediatric Dentistry and Columbus Advanced Family Dentistry have announced they are canceling and rescheduling patients for this week and next week. Marvin Pavlov of Columbus Dental Group, which operates both offices, says they hope to use a mix of vacation days and training sessions to either avoid or minimize laying off staff.
But many local dentists are like Dr. Beth Ann Carter of Family Dental Care of Indiana on Goeller Boulevard. She said she’s not going to make a decision regarding further restrictions or limitations at her practice until Monday.
Carter says she has been trying to keep up to date with new developments on the virus.
“But it appears to be changing daily,” Carter said. “So I’ll wait to see whatever emerges between now and Monday to make any further decisions.”
Several dentists are taking the same “one-day-at-a-time” attitude, while others won’t make decisions until after they return home from vacation this weekend.
For that reason, Phillips suggests that those who have an upcoming appointment with any dentist either call, text or email the office next week to get the latest developments and restrictions.
