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 The Illinois State Dental Society, representing dentists and dental
offices statewide, has been working closely with its members and
Gov. JB Pritzker’s Administration since the pandemic hit the state
in March. Initially, dental offices were closed to all but urgent or
emergency needs, but they have since reopened.
ISDS has worked with its members to develop detailed safety
protocols and patient education to ensure patients feel safe for
visits, and any issues that might arise are dealt with
appropriately. ISDS has developed an online COVID-19 educational
toolkit for patients, dental offices, policymakers and the general
public covering a number of important topics:
Why dental care is necessary during the pandemic, as gum
disease and other oral health problems can become much more serious
and widespread if left untreated.
Why dental care is safe during the pandemic, with
offices taking detailed steps to sanitize and sterilize equipment
and protect patients.
What patients can expect when they return for visits, from a
new look for waiting rooms and dental chairs to medical precautions
for each patient
Where to get dental care if you do not have a dentist.
The ISDS toolkit has been developed largely with resources provided
throughout the pandemic by the society’s parent organization, the
American Dental Association, in conjunction with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
While ISDS and its dental members encourage all Illinoisans who are
overdue for care to get an appointment soon, some younger
Illinoisans must do so by law.
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A new state law that took effect last year requires all incoming high school
freshmen to get a dental exam before school starts, joining incoming
kindergarteners, second graders and sixth graders, in an effort to promote
strong oral care as children get older. (See more in the release below).
All of these topics are discussed in more detail on the COVID-19 Toolkit.
Eric Larson, executive director of ISDS, said Illinois dentists are seeing
overwhelmingly positive response as patients realize dental offices are focused
on providing the safest experience possible for their return during the
pandemic. The online resources and in-person experience should help ease any
concerns Illinoisans have about seeing the dentist again, and help ensure dental
care remains an essential part of Illinois’ public health plan moving forward.
“Our members shut down their offices to all but the most urgent needs this
spring to do our part to fight the spread of coronavirus,” Larson said. “But
what we have learned since then is that Illinoisans cannot and must not go
months without seeing their dentist.
“Dental offices have always embraced the most stringent protocols to keep our
offices clean and safe for all patients, because the public health risks are too
great when you’re providing this kind of close-contact care. We are proud of the
diligence our dental offices have shown to understand patients’ concerns and
address them head on.
“We encourage incoming high school freshmen to follow the law and see their
dentist before school begins in the coming weeks. We ask anyone with concerns
about returning to their dentist to take time to review the toolkit and then
reach out to their dentist to see how they are working to protect everyone they
see. The sooner everyone can get back on their normal oral health schedule with
their dental professional, the better our public health will be for it.”
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