620 Pandemic Pack Feature - v3 - FINAL - Reg3_Pages 6 / 10 / 20 3 : 22 PM Page 14 NEW PROTOCOLS IN Prioritizing Oral Health PLACE With local practices now welcoming back WITH NEW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FIRMLY IN PLACE , AREA PROFESSION - more patients , they are following the guide - ALS CONTINUE TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER DENTAL CARE . lines set forth by organizations like the ADA , NJDA , Centers for Disease Control and Pre - BY MATT COSENTINO vention , and Occupational Safety and Health “ I also had one woman who had five Administration . Some of the common mea - VACATIONS , GRADUATIONS , SIMPLE GET - TOGETH - sures include a pre - appointment question - abscess teeth in her mouth . She knew she these are the ERS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY — naire related to COVID - 19 exposure ; the had a problem but she got to the point activities most people would include on a elimination of waiting rooms , with patients where she was uncomfortable and felt phys - list of activities they have missed the most remaining in their cars until it’s time to be ically drained , ” he says . “ We also saw people during the COVID - 19 pandemic . A trip to seen ; electronic paperwork ; temperature who had fractured teeth , swollen glands . … the dentist probably does not make the cut . checks ; mandatory face coverings for patients Stress is a big thing ; it affects the overall However , when Gov . Phil Murphy signed before and after treatment ; hand washing ; health of your mouth . ” an executive order in mid - May allowing for PPE and other protective equipment for Local professionals adopted teledentistry dental elective surgeries and invasive pro - staff ; and increased sanitation of exam rooms . during the quarantine , to varying levels of cedures to resume later that month , health Kadar hired a national consultant , Jackie success . Gilbert says it helped to prescribe professionals across South Jersey welcomed Dorst , to put his practice’s infectious control pain medication for the patient , but the the opportunity to reopen their offices and system in place and go over every possible problem obviously could not be fixed until start treating patients on a regular basis for scenario . He credits his staff and patients he or she was seen in person . Virtual exams the first time since the crisis began . with helping the process go smoothly . were also beneficial in determining whether And much to their surprise , at least part “ If you don’t adapt , you won’t be able to patients had a true emergency that had to of the public was equally excited . survive , be treated right away . “ I’m rather shocked at the number of so we’re adapting , ” he says . “ [ Our Dr . Ron Saffar of My Orthodontist has patients calling and wanting to come in , ” office ] is still a very safe place to be . Everything embraced the use of technology at his prac - says Dr . Harry Gilbert of Springdale Family is sterilized , everything is wiped down . I tice , which has locations in Cherry Hill and Dental in Cherry Hill . “ Usually people think it’s way safer than walking through a are not in a rush to go the dentist . It’s not grocery store where everybody is touching Deptford . Through a virtual platform on like they’re disregarding [ their safety ] , but everything . their website called SmileSnap , patients can they feel like they have to get things done “ My team is really amazing and they submit six photos of their teeth and then or it will get worse . Some patients are have bailed us out tremendously . They’re have a consultation with one of the doctors . dying to come in . ” putting in extra hours and being flexible , Saffar believes it will be the new standard knowing that we’re dealing with an unprece - moving forward for Invisalign patients , who As the state slowly tries to spark its econ - dented tragedy . The patients have been awe - will no longer require an office visit every omy and bring back normal activities , it is some too . They understand that we’re doing few weeks to get new aligners . clear that nothing will be the same as it was everything we can . We’re all dealing with it before the pandemic struck , especially in a “ Before COVID , we had heard of tele - and we’re going to come out better for it . ” field like dentistry . But local residents can dentistry but it was like a foreign concept Childers cites studies published in China , rest assured knowing their doctors are going to me , ” Saffar says . “ I could see it in Italy and Germany on post - mortem coron - the extra mile so their patients and employees medicine , but how do you do dentistry avirus patients that show the port of entry can be as safe as possible . remotely ? But it has been very effective for the virus is in the salivary glands , rather overall and works very well with Invisalign . than the lungs as first believed . “ Consequently , … Virtual platform is the wave of the DENTISTRY DURING THE when a future and we’re definitely going to be QUARANTINE patient comes into my office I have incorporating it as a way of business . ” them rinse with a solution that decreases Although visits for teeth cleanings or new the viral load in the mouth , so even if they Invisalign trays came to a halt , dentistry and Dr . Tom Kadar of Kadar Orthodontics in were exposed … they can shed the virus , ” orthodontics never fully went away during Washington Township has also utilized he says . Childers also has his staff members stay - at - home orders . Many local practices SmileSnap , along with three other virtual change into different shoes when they arrive were available to handle emergencies at the platforms : Orthodontic Screening Kit , Dental for work , and he brings a change of clothes urging of the American Dental Association Monitoring and HIPPA - compliant Zoom every day while keeping his scrubs in the ( ADA ) and New Jersey Dental Association meetings . He recognizes the comfort level office for the week . “ Everything I’ve done is ( NJDA ) . The idea was to keep people from that virtual visits bring for patients , who are for the safety of my patients , the safety of seeking treatment at emergency rooms and often anxious about going to see a doctor . my staff and for my safety as well . ” urgent care facilities , which were dealing “ When someone is sitting in their private Gilbert also has concerns for his employ - with coronavirus patients and other more home , they’re very relaxed and … it’s a more ees and is operating with a limited staff for pressing matters . trusting environment , ” he says . “ It’s a really the first few weeks of reopening . Because of As a periodontist , Dr . Gail Childers of cool way to meet people . Of course , I still the dangers of dental aerosols , hygienists Periodontal Health Professionals in Marlton have to see them and do a physical exam , are utilizing more hand scaling while reducing and Turnersville regularly addresses serious but it gives us an idea of what’s on their the use of ultrasonic hand cleaners . issues such as dental implants and gum dis - mind and how I can help them . Since there ease . In one case during the shutdown , he “ There’s no question those things are are no aerosols in orthodon - coordinated with Jefferson Hospital to treat here to stay . It fits into patients ’ schedules tics , Saffar is comfortable reopening with all a patient for an infectious disease in the better . If you can make things more effi - of the precautions his office has put into mouth before the patient underwent a bone cient or accommodating , people will effect . He believes it is the right time to get marrow transplant . appreciate it . ” back to work . SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 17 issue 3 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 36 |