Originally Posted by
RedSuedeShoes
But both my new dentist's office and my kids' dentist office do not feel nearly as safe to me. Besides the fact that you (& all the other patients that cycle through in a day's time) can't wear a mask, both offices have sort of a communal space for cleanings. The pediatric dentist has a big room with 8 chairs lined up where the hygienists work. I think they might have curtains between them, but don't usually pull them closed. I'm not sure how they're doing things now, but their usual setup would be terrible. My new dentist's office feels pretty small for the number of people coming and going, and rather than exam rooms they have exam bays with cabinets providing a visual barrier between them but nothing to prevent air exchange. I was there for an hour and had my mouth open most of that time, and was so aware that there were at least 3 other patients nearby, also with their mouths open for an hour at a time. Especially right now, when case numbers are terrible here, going to the dentist feels unsafe. But I hate putting it off even longer, especially for DS.