VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — One of the most up-close and personal interactions you can have with someone is at the dentist’s office. With COVID-19, some of those businesses closed doors or changed workplace policies and procedures.
At The Foleck Center in Virginia Beach, dentists are following American Dental Association guidelines. They’re only seeing patients who have emergency surgeries and making other temporary changes to protect the community from the spread of coronavirus.
The first change you’ll notice is that the parking lot acts as the new waiting room for patients. That way nobody’s waiting in the lobby and everyone’s practicing social distancing.
"I think it will be safer for everybody,” said patient Loretta Frain.
Also, clients check into their appointment by calling the front desk. Then, once they walk in, everyone has their temperature taken, to test for just one of the flu-like symptoms.
Doctor Adam Foleck said most dental offices have empty space now because they’re only seeing emergency appointments like broken teeth, severe mouth pain, or infections.
He said by doing this, they’re helping hospitals and patients.
“We don’t want them to have to go to the hospital to sit next to somebody who might be infected or is there to get tested,” said Foleck.
Now rows of dental hygienist chairs sit empty. Foleck hired 75 people for his facilities, but he said he had to tell many employees to stay home.
He said it was hard to do, but it's important to protect patients and employees.
“Let’s be honest most people live paycheck to paycheck,” said Foleck.
These cut-backs aren’t just affecting him. Other dentist offices and small businesses are feeling the impact of the outbreak financially.
He said, “I mean, this is going to be a big hit for our practice.”
At his dental office, they’re following the E.P.A’s guidelines, like adding a hydrogen peroxide mix to the daily procedures.
“We’ve been able to take care of those patients by following those protocols, which we’ve always done in the past,” he said.
Even though coronavirus feels like it brings more uncertainty, Foleck said they’re proactive with this health emergency and have been during other health emergencies.
“If we all do the right thing, then hopefully it’ll run its regression and we can get back to normal as quickly as possible,” said Foleck.
For now, the coronavirus pandemic’s a temporary situation that the community is working to combat, with every small change.
“My heart goes out to everybody and hopefully we can come together, everyone does what they’re supposed to do and maybe we’ll get closer to getting through this cycle as quick as possible,” said Foleck.