Some people don’t go to the dentist unless they have a problem. Since the pandemic, some people who normally get preventive care have stayed away because they’re afraid of catching Covid. Experts say, there’s nothing to worry about.
“The dental office is one of the safest places to be, not just in terms of Covid, but Monkeypox, and influenza, and other infectious diseases because of the infection control protocols that we have in place, said Dr. Gary Chiodo, recently retired dean of the UW School of Dentistry.
Dental problems are progressive. They don’t go away, like a cold. If ignored, Dr. Chiodo reminds us, they get worse.
Fear isn’t the only reason for putting off dental care. Cost is often another. For those without insurance, there are a few options.
“In addition to public health clinics, if you’re in the Seattle King County area, the UW School of Dentistry is an excellent choice,” Dr. Chiodo said. “The costs are a fraction of what it costs for dental care in community private practices. It takes a bit longer, but the cost is much less, and the quality of the care is top notch. You’re being treated by students who are supervised by the experts who train the other experts.”
Find out more about the UW Predoctoral Teaching Clinic
More Info: Why 30% of Americans haven’t been to the dentist since before the pandemic
