Dentists provide emergency care while waiting to open in May
Avondale dentist Dr. James Schumacher used to joke that he would love to have a “drive-through” dental service in order to make things easier for his patients. Little did he know his light-hearted levity would one day come close to reality.
Schumacher, along with several other dentists in Jacksonville’s historic districts, has closed his office since early March when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency due to the Coronavirus and issued an executive order limiting dental care to emergency care only until Friday, May 8. The official declaration was filed on March 9 and expires within 60 days. The state mandate prohibits any medically unnecessary, non-urgent or non-emergency procedures or surgery.
However, dental patients who have excessive tooth pain, broken teeth or other emergencies should call their dentists instead of heading to overwhelmed hospital emergency rooms or urgent care centers, said Schumacher. “We’re still seeing patients. We have an emergency line that sends me a message, and I get back to the people right away,” he said. “But you have to define what an emergency is. Most of the people who have been calling me really don’t want to come in,” he said adding that in one case he checked in on a concerned patient in his parking lot. “She had a spot on her tongue or on her cheek, so I went out with my loops and my head lamp and checked it out. She was fine,” he said, noting mostly what he was doing was putting her mind at ease.
Dr. Jila Mahajan, a pediatric dentist who owns Kids First Dentistry in Ortega, Dr. Vaughn Holland, founder of Ortega Orthodontics, and Dr. Rachel Harris Monteiro, founder of River Oaks Dental in Lakewood join Schumacher in confirming the necessity of staying away from the emergency room when vital dental work is needed during the crisis.
“Any child who suffers an emergency is going to be seen by their dentist,” Mahajan said. But one reason for keeping dental offices closed during this public health emergency is that the personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N-95 masks and protective workwear, which dentists use during routine dental procedures and cleanings, may be diverted to emergency medical personnel at local hospitals. Mahajan joined Holland in saying she donated extra masks and PPE equipment to Ascension St. Vincent’s hospital in Riverside as well as to other local pediatricians.
All four dentists said to keep teeth healthy during this period of sheltering in place, it is important to brush your teeth.
Holland was so concerned about COVID-19, that he closed his office two days prior to the governor’s mandate. With his staff abiding by the stay-at-home order, these days he is manning his office by himself with the help of a cell phone and answering machine. He is not scheduling any regular adjustments, although he will continue to see patients for emergencies, such as clipping wires that might dig into child’s cheek. But a lost retainer is not an emergency, he said.
“It’s frustrating,” he said, noting that some kids have worn braces for as long as two years and he still is required to tell them he can’t fit them for a new retainer if it is lost.
Holland recommends his patients brush their teeth multiple times a day and stay away from carbohydrates such as Cheetos, potato chips and Cheez-Its. “Carbs stick in the grooves of your teeth and that’s bad,” he said.
Schumacher recommends that you brush and floss daily and if you want extra protection, use a rinse made from 50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide. “I’ve read that hydrogen peroxide kills the Coronavirus, along with alcohol, Clorox and hand soap,” he said, noting he is a germaphobe who washes his hands at least 100 times a day when he is working. “Make sure you wash your hands before you stick them into your mouth to brush and floss.”
Monteiro agreed. “The most important thing right now is to maintain your home care routine,” she said. “Make sure you’re brushing twice a day, preferably with an electric toothbrush, and flossing daily. Also make sure you aren’t snacking on sugary or starchy foods all day now that you are home from school or work. If you are in the middle of treatment and have a temporary crown or bridge, avoid all sticky foods. It may also be a good idea to avoid eating popcorn as the kernels can easily become lodged in the gums and can cause painful swelling.
“Like most dentists, my office is closed but I am still available for my patients should a dental emergency arise,” she continued. “If you have a dental emergency, especially with pain or swelling, call your dentist! The last place we want you to end up is at the emergency room with a preventable dental emergency during a pandemic.”
For children, it is important to keep them on a schedule, insisting they brush for two minutes in both the morning and evening, said Mahajan. “Make sure they don’t graze all day on sugary snacks,” she said. “Limit it to once a day in the afternoon and make sure they brush afterwards.” Mahajan also said she is keeping in touch with her young patients and their parents by email. “We try to keep track of our patients and remind them to do good dental hygiene, even if they are at home. We want them to know that we are there for them if they have any questions.”
By Marcia Hodgson
Resident Community News
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