In a statement issued On April 1, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended that dentists nationwide close their offices and postpone any non-emergency dental procedures at least through the rest of the month in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Based on those guidelines and with the health and safety of our patients and staff our top priority, our office will be closed for non-emergency dental appointments until May 4th.
However, we’ve continued to help many people in our community—whether they were already patients of ours or not—with a variety of dental issues regardless of whether or not they are emergencies.
We’ve resolved a number of non-emergency dental questions or concerns by consulting with patients over Skype, FaceTime, or by just chatting on the phone. In addition, we also stand ready and equipped to care for patients in-office in case of an urgent or emergency matter.
The question that many of you are then asking us is, “What’s considered a dental emergency, and can you still help me even if I’m having a dental problem that may not be an emergency?”
Emergency Dental Care
Yes, we can help. First, here are common issues that are considered urgent or emergency-related and that we can help you in the office with if need be:
- Unusual or painful swelling in or around your mouth, including your gums
- A large abscess
- Pain in a tooth, teeth, or your jaw
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop
- A broken or knocked out tooth
Please don’t hesitate to call us if you—or your friends or family members—have one of these emergency issues, or another dental concern that you aren’t sure is an emergency or not. Don’t worry if you’re not already one of our patients, we will help you. Just call our main line—865-947-6453—and you will be instructed on how to reach Dr. Wes.
Non-Emergency Dental Care
Second, here are common issues that are not usually urgent or emergency-related that we can most likely help you with over a video consultation or phone call:
- Toothaches
- Gum, tongue, lip, or cheek discomfort
- Temporary crowns coming off
- Denture sores or fitting issues
- Orthodontic concerns
Almost every day since the office has been closed due to Covid-19, we have taken calls from patients—or friends and family members of patients—about a variety of dental concerns. Many of them we have been able to resolve over Skype, FaceTime, or by just chatting on the phone.
So again, please don’t hesitate to call us if you—or your friends or family members—have a dental concern, regardless of whether you think it’s an emergency or not. And don’t worry if you’re not already one of our patients, we will gladly help you. Just call our main line—865-947-6453—and you will be instructed on how to reach Dr. Wes.
Thank you for your understanding as the current situation continues to develop. Please visit with us on My Family Dentistry’s Facebook page, where Wes and Laura are staying in touch with a live video break each evening around 8:30 pm. We’re getting into all sorts of antics and projects during life such as it is right now, and are enjoying connecting with our patients and community through this forum.
In the meantime, until we can see you in the office again for routine visits, take care of yourselves and one another. Call us at 865-947-6453 if you have any questions or concerns, we care about you and are as committed as ever to helping however we can.