Why is it Important to Visit an Emergency Dentist Instead of The ER During COVID-19?

Do you have a severe toothache or a knocked-out tooth? During the COVID-19 crisis, it’s important that you contact your emergency dentist in Dallas instead of visiting your local ER. Not only will you receive specialized care that you can trust, but it could also be a lifesaving decision. Although these situations can be stressful to handle, your emergency dentist will be able to help. Read on to learn why it’s so important to visit your dentist instead of the hospital for urgent dental care.

Don’t Risk The Spread of Infection

In March, the ADA released an official statement recommending that dentists postpone all elective procedures and solely treat emergency patients. This is in an effort to reduce the amount of traffic in dental facilities as well as overwhelmed local emergency rooms. Because COVID-19 is spread via droplet transfer to your mucous membrane (eyes, nose, and mouth), sitting in a waiting room with dozens of other sick patients could increase your risk of contracting the virus. Instead when you go to your emergency dentist, you’ll be visiting a highly monitored and less-trafficked environment, only caring for screened patients with dental emergencies.

Get the Specialized Care You Need

Typically, the only time you should visit your local emergency room for urgent oral treatment is if you have broken or fractured your jawbone, have a deep facial laceration that requires stitches, or are having difficulty breathing or swallowing. Otherwise, you should always visit a dentist for a dental emergency in Dallas. This will ensure that you’re receiving high-quality specialized treatment from a professional who has spent years learning specifically about the facial and oral structure. When you visit an ER, you’ll only be receiving emergency care to stabilize you, not to prevent any additional oral health problems from arising in the future, like you would with your emergency dentist.

Get Your Pain Relieved Faster

If you visit an emergency room during the COVID-19 crisis, not only will you be risking infection, but you may have to wait for hours before you’re able to see a doctor. Instead of sitting in pain, you can be seen practically immediately at your emergency dentist’s office, because at the moment, they’re only providing urgent care. That means that you’ll be in and out of there before you know it. Not only are they offering same-day care, but with reduced traffic flow, dentists are able to allow their patients to wait in their car until their appointment time, meaning you’re much less likely to be waiting around other patients compared to the ER.

The best way to support the brave doctors and nurses tackling COVID-19 is to reduce their workload by visiting other specialists who are just as qualified to care for you. Not only will you be saving room in the ER for someone in need of urgent medical care, but you’ll also be receiving specialized care specifically for your situation when you visit your emergency dentist instead.

About the Author

Dr. Aom Arrechea has years of experience providing patients with high-quality and fast emergency dental care. She is a member of the American Dental Association as well as the Texas Dental Association and stays up-to-date with the latest techniques and technology in dentistry. She is currently offering urgent treatment for patients who are in pain or need immediate attention and is ensuring their safety by following all of the CDC guidelines. For questions or to schedule an emergency appointment, visit Daily Smiles Dental Dallas’ website or call 214-233-9460.