dentist and covid risk

[redbird]

Does anyone know of a Boston-area dentist whose staff are still masking consistently. I'm in Brighton, but willing to travel a bit, preferably by T.

I just called my dentist and asked about covid protocols, and the person said "covid protocols?" as if nobody had asked her that in ages. I explained I wanted to know what their rules about masking are, and was told "if you want to wear a mask you can." I said "thank you, I may need to reschedule" and hung up.

The receptionist called back (thinking we'd been cut off accidentally?), and said the doctors were masking, and the hygienist when I asked about that. However, the rest of the staff aren't, but "you can ask them to wear a mask" and "everyone is vaccinated."

The reception area/waiting room at that office is small, and by the time I asked anyone working there to put on a mask, they would have had several hours to spread any virus they happened to be carrying.

On the one hand, this is not good; on the other, would another medical practice be any better here?
My appointment is next Wednesday, so I have some time to brood think about this. I may call and ask to reschedule for the first appointment of the day (any day), to reduce possible exposure to other patients. Even if the staff are all vaccinated and boosted, it's unlikely that all the other patients are.

Comments

[jenett]

Mine is, and is great, but is not currently taking new patients. (Smiles by Rosie, in Somerville, so also not great T access.) Everyone's still masked (I was in there a couple of weeks ago for a cleaning), they're staggering appointments so fewer people in the waiting room, air filters and windows open a bit allowing for weather.

So there are definitely people. (One of her areas of speciality is dental trauma, also kids with disabilities who find dentists extra hard.) But there are definitely places that are still being careful.

[adrian_turtle]

My new dentist in Watertown requires masks, and has a sign on the door saying masks are required and they will provide one if you don't have your own. When I reached out reflexively on meeting the dentist, he refused to shake my hand because of covid, and bumped elbows instead. Unfortunately, he and the receptionist were both wearing surgical masks.

My former dentist in Somerville (the one I really liked, and changed because she isn't covered by my new insurance) was doing temperature checks and at least making an effort to be careful last year. I don't know what they're doing now.

Unfortunately, making an effort doesn't always track with making a useful effort.

[minoanmiss]

When I went to gentle dental in Medford about six months ago everyone was masked. But I haven’t been more recently than that

[otter]

I am frustrated on your behalf and anticipating encountering more things like that here.

[lauradi7dw]

Our dentist in Lexington is accessible by the 76 bus, but that would be quite a haul for you. The dentists and hygienists are all using really good masks and face shields. The receptionists are using flimsy surgical masks. Masks for patients are required in the waiting room. There is an air filter next to each dental chair.