Allegheny County dentists urged to delay nonemergency procedures

The Allegheny County Health Department is encouraging all dental providers and patients to delay nonemergency dental services and procedures during the covid-19 outbreak.

This is due to “the close proximity between patients and their dental service providers,” according to a statement Tuesday by Dr. Debra Bogen, health department director.

The county health department guidance is in agreement with recommendations issued by the American Dental Association on Monday.

“The ADA is deeply concerned for the health and well-being of the public and the dental team,” Dr. Chad P. Gehani, president of the American Dental Association, said in a statement. “In order for dentistry to do its part to mitigate the spread of covid-19, the ADA recommends dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures for the next three weeks. Concentrating on emergency dental care will allow us to care for our emergency patients and alleviate the burden that dental emergencies would place on hospital emergency departments.”

Pediatric Dentistry of Pittsburgh, which has offices in Fox Chapel and Natrona Heights, is among the offices rescheduling elective dental care this week.

“These are just precautionary measures to join in what everybody else is doing in trying to reduce everybody’s collective exposure,” said Dr. Ryan Shaw of Pediatric Dentistry of Pittsburgh, adding that the office was already taking extra precautions to keep the office clean.

That includes using an outside company to monitor sterilization methods as well as increasing their disinfection protocol and deep-cleaning schedule, according to a statement posted to the office’s Facebook page.

“They should not be fearful if their child has been to the dentist in the past two weeks,” Shaw said.

Patients should come in for emergency appointments if they experience fractures, pain or a suspected infection, Shaw said.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered all nonessential Pennsylvania businesses to shut down in order to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

That includes recreational facilities like gyms, casinos and concert venues, as well as hair and nail salons and sports facilities like golf courses.

Businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations will remain open.