Though the coronavirus has negatively impacted the dental industry, there are steps that dental practices can take to stay afloat during this uncertain time. Some practices have decided to shut their doors indefinitely, but this does not mean that every dentist must completely stop working. In fact, many offices are operating within the covid-19 guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) by offering telemedicine and emergency visits. Others are applying for business loans as a means of financial relief.

Whether you choose to offer emergency dental appointments, virtual visits, or even phone calls, there are steps you can take to preserve your business. Making these decisions now may ensure the success of your practice later down the road, when the pandemic has ended.

Maintaining Your Practice with Virtual Consultations

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many dental practices to focus on telemedicine, in which patients speak to dentists using audio or video calls. Though telemedicine is not a solution for all health issues that may arise, it allows doctors and patients to speak to each other while maintaining social distance.

Your dental office may employ telemedicine in a variety of ways. You may use it to take part in consultations with old and new patients, diagnose an oral health issue, prescribe medicine, or determine whether a patient needs emergency care.

Teledentistry has numerous benefits for providers and patients alike. Dental practices may experience a net reduction in costs by using it because it eliminates the need to operate a brick-and-mortar office for every single visit. It also allows dentists to bill for the time they spend speaking to patients over the phone or on video calls, and it significantly reduces the lost money and time for no-shows. Plus, dentists may provide their expert opinions from the comfort of their own homes or the safety of their private offices.

Patients may also appreciate virtual visits for their safety and convenience. These meetings can reduce the cost of care, as providers offer them at a reduced price. They are more efficient as well, because patients will not need to sit in waiting rooms or factor in time for the commute. In turn, dentists may have more time to spend with each patient.

Maintaining Your Practice with Emergency Dental Care

Emergency dental care may be required for some of your patients. You may choose to offer emergency care at your office or refer your patient to someone else. Many practices have reported to the ADA that they can still offer safe, high-quality care to their patients who need to have immediate procedures performed.

Taking emergency dental appointments during the pandemic is risky, but many dentists have reported that they are able to safely offer their expertise and perform involved procedures. In addition, these dentists are providing a great service to their patients, many of whom cannot find doctors who will see them in-person despite dangerous symptoms.

If you decide to offer emergency dental services, you must first make sure you have strict protocol in place. You may begin by taking part in virtual consultations, during which your patients can discuss their symptoms and you can determine whether they need to be seen as quickly as possible.

Remember that in some cases, you may be doing your patient a service by suggesting they don’t come in at all, especially if you can prescribe medication or give sufficient advice through a virtual visit. You must weigh the risks each patient faces when entering a dental office, especially if they are immuno-compromised.

Once an emergency dental visit is deemed necessary, you or a staff member must provide the patient with instructions for the appointment. The ADA and the CDC both recommend that you see only one person at a time and space out your appointments so that patients do not cross paths.

It is also important to inform your staff of safety protocol and cleaning requirements. Waiting rooms should be sanitized in between visits and any unnecessary objects, such as magazines, should be removed. Hand sanitizer should be readily available. Your patients should feel that everything is clean, down to the pen they use to sign release forms.

While visiting your dental practice, your patients should also comply with safety standards as determined by the CDC. This includes wearing a mask to the appointment and ensuring that no other guests stay in the waiting room while they are being seen. If the patient needs to be driven home, the driver must wait in his or her car.

Though emergency visits will not replace your pre-pandemic earnings, they may help you generate some revenue during this uncertain time. They will also be particularly helpful to patients experiencing dangerous symptoms.

How Dentists Can Set Themselves Up for Success After the Pandemic

Dental care may never completely return to normal, as patients may be very cautious about scheduling appointments even after stay-at-home orders are lifted. Thus, dentists must not resist change. They may have a far better chance at recovering after the pandemic if they acknowledge the concerns of their patients and continue to implement safe practices.

When determining which steps are best for your dental practice, you may come to the conclusion that you need financial relief. Applying for loans may ensure the sustainability of your practice and offer some financial security to your hard-working staff, who may otherwise need to collect unemployment.

According to the ADA, the Paycheck Protection Program, otherwise known as 7(a) loans, will help borrowers obtain the funding they need. These loans were established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act which was signed into law on March 27. Borrowers are allowed to use 7(a) loans for employee payrolls and benefits, mortgage and rental payments, and utility expenses. A certain amount of the loan may be eligible for loan forgiveness if the borrower uses it for payrolls and benefits.

It’s important to remember that this novel pandemic may require novel solutions. Taking these measures early-on may limit the long-term damage to your practice.