The Governor gave the OK for most dental procedures to begin again today along with time-sensitive elective medical surgeries.
Former Louisiana Dental Association President Dr. Kristi Soileau says the only work not being allowed at this time is cosmetic dentistry that is for the sole purpose of enhancing someone’s appearance.
“Things like veneers, cosmetic bonding, we may not be able to do gum lifts or making the teeth longer if it is strictly for aesthetics,” says Soileau.
Ongoing orthodontic procedures like check-ups for braces, wires, or aligners are allowed, and procedures to do new braces or aligners are allowed as well if they are not solely for cosmetic reasons.
Soileau says the order does allow people to come back to their dentist for a regular checkup.
“You can indeed have a diagnostic test, a “regular exam”, but we don’t always know when an exam is regular until after we have performed the exam and performed the diagnostic radiograph,” says Soileau.
While most procedures are back, social distancing will be observed. Soileau says patients will notice that were will either be no or very few people in the waiting room.
“We will either ask them if they do have to sit out in the waiting room to spread apart or many times we will ask them to stay in the car or we will call them when the procedure is almost done,” says Soileau.
She also encourages patients to wear masks and says all trafficked areas will be regularly disinfected.
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