Coronavirus impact on North Alabama dentist offices

Coronavirus impact on North Alabama dentist offices

And hand sanitizer.

The end of the stay at home order means north alabama dentist offices can re-open their doors to patients.

But just like many retailers, some of them didn't rush to open today.

Waay 31's will robinson-smith is live outside of one such dentist office in huntsville.

He learned why it's not opening until next week, and the big changes that regular patients will see when they return regular is the right word.

Because even though places like perkins dentistry have been shut down to normal client visits since march 17, they have been able to see emergency cases.

However, dentists i spoke with today say they want to take time to make sure their practices have taken all the necessary precautions to welcome all patients on a daily basis.

Dr. jennifer perkins, dentist, perkins dentistry we've not been on vacation, that's for sure.

I think most dentists would agree this has been a stressful time not knowing what was coming next, not knowing how long we would have to close our businesses.

Being kept away from what we love to do every day.

Dr. jennifer perkins' practice, perkins dentistry, sits on a street with several other practices.

She and others spent the past several weeks preparing for the day they could finally let patients back in.

That meant trying to find personal protective equipment or p-p-e.

Will robinson-smith one of the changes you'll see the next time you go to a dentist's office is, in addition to a protective gown, they'll also be wearing a face shield and a level three protective mask whenever they're interacting with a patient.

The new guidance came just two days ago after anemergency meeting of the alabama board of dental examiners dr. jennifer perkins, dentist, perkins dentistry we're trying to keep our teams safe and more importantly, we're trying to keep our patients safe.

And so, we'll look a little bit different when you come back into our offices.

It's a good thing you know who we are.

But because some p-p-e is difficult to find, dr. perkins says she had to get creative.

Dr. jennifer perkins, dentist, perkins dentistry we were not able to get surgical gowns through the normal route.

So, wanting to open and see our patients and keep my team really safe, i've decided to make my own surgical gowns.

So, still at the sewing machine and 30 of those will be coming off the line in time for monday.

To meet the new state criteria, dr. perkins' practice and others will have to stagger appointments.

That means getting to see fewer patients...and making less money.

Dr. jennifer perkins, dentist, perkins dentistry i think we're so thankful to go back to work that something's better than nothing.

And i think it's time to go back to work safely as long as every office that opens is prepared.

Another change in board of dental examiners guidelines is that patients won't be allowed to sit in waiting rooms. instead, you will have to wait in your car until an employee comes to get you.

Reporting live in huntsville.

Will robinson-smith.

Waay 31 news.