Routine dental appointments and flu?

jeanlake · ‎03-10-2010

I'm reading your flu posts and it made me think -- I have a routine dental check up on Tuesday. It takes a while to get an appointment. I'm going to keep it, but will also wonder how germ-free this environment is. I went to a home and garden show at our city convention center this weekend. So many people and I didn't touch escalator handles or barely anything else. Left after an hour. Not the smartest thing I've done this year.

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Henry David Thoreau

LindaSal · ‎05-15-2014

I think you'll be fine. I was a dental assistant for 30 years and the sterility is very strict. I would say it's probably cleaner there than most places you will have to visit. I would be more concerned about the physicians office because most people there are so because they are sick. Good old fashioned hand washing when you get home Have a healthy check up!

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I schedule my dental cleaning appointments in April and October, to avoid flu season.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

Funny. You breathed at that home and garden show and that's how the flu virus and common cold viruses spread. So, you were still at risk. Same with the dentist, of course they sterilize the instruments and wear masks but you'll still be in the waiting room with other humans and with the front office staff. I assume you did get a flu shot, that gives us all some protection although not as much this year. All we can do is get our flu shots and take necessary precautions but we have to live our lives.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

I wouldn't worry about the dentist's office. That's no riskier than any place else. People aren't usually sick when they go to the dentist. I took my 89 year old father to the dentist last week and wasn't worried. I have to take him to the urologist this week and am not particularly worried about that either. I will reschedule his routine doctor's visit though. I'll make it for the end of March.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

software · ‎06-08-2016

The exam rooms are very clean, but the waiting room is a petri dish.

I cancelled all my appointments, will re-schedule

I didn't even attend my annual church Christmas program

I've been to work & home, I don't even grocery shop, I use the online ordering

I'm in my 60s and not in excellent health.

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

wrote:
I schedule my dental cleaning appointments in April and October, to avoid flu season.

Yes, I have rescheduled my routine cleaning and check-up until the end of April for this reason. Doing this will put me well beyond my usual appointment time, but since I do not have any dental problems, waiting until the end of flu season is my priority now. BTW, you would be surprised how many dental offices do cut corners with their sanitary practices. They cannot be expected to be 100% sterile so I won't take a chance.

shy bobcat · ‎04-24-2010

My biggest concern at the dentist is the hygienist. She has gloved hands but goes from my mouth to her computer keyboard, opens cabinets and drawers then, with the same gloved hands, goes back into my mouth without changing gloves. I wish I had the guts to say something to her!

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

wrote:
My biggest concern at the dentist is the hygienist. She has gloved hands but goes from my mouth to her computer keyboard, opens cabinets and drawers then, with the same gloved hands, goes back into my mouth without changing gloves. I wish I had the guts to say something to her!

@shy bobcat, this is exactly the type of poor sanitary practice I'm talking about. I once had a dentist very highly recommended to me. When I arrived at my appointment, I was horrified to watch the receptionist with her long red nails check me in at the front desk, then lead me into the exam room and set up the instruments on the tray .... WITHOUT gloves..... I specifically waited for the dentist to come in to tell him what I had just seen, then told him I was leaving.

Of course, that was a new appointment for me, so nothing lost. I understand why you might feel uncomfortable speaking up, but it's necessary. It's your health and the hygienist is compromising your health. If you don't want to confront her directly, then ask the dentist to do so.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

The possibility of picking up a 'bug' is out there for anywhere, but I believe the odds are higher at certain types of Dr.'s offices.

The dentist and other specialists that aren't taking in 'sick' patients are much less likely to be full of flu germs or people with them, than the primary care offices will be.

We have dental appointments in Feb and March and I'm not, at this point, too worried about those.

I know I have gotten sick just before a dental appt. and I cancelled so as not to make either their staff sick or anyone else that would come in. I hope others will be smart enough to do the same.