Your health and well-being are our priority. Morris Park Dental is now offering Free Virtual Consultations through our website at www.morrisparkdental.com, as well as Telehealth Options, to help our patients avoid unnecessary office visits.
Morris Park Dental is still seeing emergency patients by appointment. We have continued to uphold the highest standards of sterilization within our office, and are also taking additional measures to screen emergency patients who are being seen.
While some people don’t even like to come to the dentist when there isn’t a global pandemic, others may wonder why their dental office wants to reschedule their dental cleanings or restorative procedures.
Examples of non-emergency appointments that have been rescheduled:
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Crowns
- New Patient Exams
Why was my dental appointment rescheduled?
On March 16, 2020, the American Dental Association (ADA) released its recommendation for dental offices to postpone all non-emergent dental treatment (ada.org). On Saturday, March 22nd, 2020, Governor Cuomo mandated that New York dental offices only see patients in response to emergencies.
There are two major reasons: One is the strong instruction for social distancing. Dental professionals would need to physically break the 6-foot barrier recommendation. Secondly, and even more importantly, most dental procedures also generate aerosols.
What are Aerosols?
To put it simply, aerosols are particles that are suspended and linger in the air. Think of when you spray hairspray: the spray extends outward and stays in the air until it dissipates.
Most dental treatments (fillings, crowns, cleanings, and some extractions) involve spraying water and air into the dental patient’s mouth. This mixes with a patient’s saliva and creates a mist that is generated into the surrounding air, extending beyond the 6-foot barrier.
Under typical circumstances, there are disinfecting protocols and precautions taken to keep dental professionals and patients safe; however, with rapid transmission of this novel virus, it is evident that extraordinary precautions must be taken for the time being.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Our office and other offices seeing dental emergencies hope that by being available for dental emergencies, we will keep people from going to emergency departments. This reduces the risk of unnecessary exposure to those patients and leaves hospital staff and beds more readily available for others who require emergency medical services.
Examples of Emergent Dental Appointments:
- Tooth pain with the presence of facial swelling and/or fever
- Trouble swallowing
- Accident or trauma to the teeth/mouth
If you experience any of these emergencies, please call our office and leave a message with our answering service. We will get back to you within 24 hours to let you know how we can help.
Although our office hours are currently limited to Emergency appointments, you can visit our website at www.morrisparkdental.com for a Virtual Consultation, or give our office a call at 718-377-6453 with any additional questions or concerns.
Wishing you and your family good health,
From All of Us at Morris Park Dental