Touched A Nerve When I Called A Dental Office Today.....

[global1]

My dentist referred me to a specialist to have them perform a tooth extraction.

I called their office today to find out what cautions they are taking with respect this pandemic.

The lady I talked to indicated everyone has to wear a mask. All patients temps will be taken when they arrive at the practice. They have the waiting room arranged so that patients could properly social distance.

I guess I pushed thing too far when I asked if all the personnel at their dental practice were vaccinated. I was told some are and some aren't - just like what's going on outside their office.

I explained to this lady that I'm 73y/o and consider myself high risk. I'm vaccinated but I'm concerned with breakthrough positive Covid.

I immediately sensed a coldness in this lady's voice - like I was threading into territory that I shouldn't be.

Is it too much to ask that employees of a dental office practice all be vaccinated - especially when they are dealing with open mouth tooth extractions?

Did I overstep my bounds?

[Karadeniz]

1. That office needs to hear more from people like you!

[gratuitous]

2. You can ask and you don't need a reason, even if your reason is an excellent one (and it is)

They're free to refuse to answer your question. You are then free to go back to your dentist, explain why you won't be going to the clinic you were referred to, and ask for another referral.

[NoMoreRepugs]

3. IMO absolutely within your perogative to question whatever you want.

They could just as easily screen their patients using that same criteria.

[diverdownjt]

36. Absolutely

I guarentee you they are doing to you if they are Q or even just republican.

Now is time to hammer them on this....push push push right now is the time to press the advantage.


We have them on the rope's if you can't tell push push push....you never know where that will lead.

PUSH THE ADVANTAGE NOW...WHILE WE HAVE SUCH A SLIM MARGIN.

[wryter2000]

4. A perfectly reasonable question

I hope you find a dental office where all are vaxxed. Are they all in your regular dentist's office? If so, they might want to know they're referring you to place where not all staff are vaxxed.

[Srkdqltr]

5. No! You are very smart to ask.

[Phoenix61]

6. You did not overstep at all.

It’s a simple yes/no question and they should be ready to answer it.

[relayerbob]

7. Nope, not in the least

My wife just cancelled an eye appointment for similar reasons. If people practicing medicine, of any type, aren't willing to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the spread of a deadly virus, then they deserve whatever happens,

[PortTack]

11. Kudos to your wife! It's up to us to protect ourselves and stop worrying about being nice

[Shipwack]

8. No you didn't!

I'm about to go through this for dental and eye exams... I'm in the middle of Texas (Austin) so I don't have high hopes of finding someone that is both vaccinated and takes my insurance (Tricare)...

[PortTack]

9. When I finally had a cleaning after being absent for well over a yr, I asked the hygienist if she

Had been vaccinated. She said yes. Not sure she appreciated it..not sure why..it’s a very reasonable question.

Someone right in your face poking around in your mouth..you absolutely did the might thing

[snowybirdie]

10. You were right absolutely!

I've started questioning every medical office we do business with. If employees don't vaccinate, they are incompetent medical people. Period! BTW, got into a vaccine fight on Facebook last week. Several women, that I don't even know, berated me for promoting the vaccine. They all were NURSES at a KAISER PERMANENTE CLINIC IN GEORGIA.

[WhiteTara]

12. of course not.

You have every right to have a vaccinated person breathing into your mouth.

[lagomorph777]

13. It is unacceptable for any medical worker to be unvaccinated.

Obviously, they are endangering the patients.

However, it does make for a quick IQ test.

[cate94]

17. +1 n/t

[sheshe2]

14. Absolutely Not!

[MLAA]

15. A home health nurse was assigned to my dad after a hospital and rehab stay (not covid related).

She arrived at his assisted living wearing a mask. She crossed the threshold and I asked if she was vaccinated and she said no. I went through 2 minutes of a spiel that Columbia County Florida last week was the hot spot in all Florida and Florida was the worst state. She started in on even being vaccinated doesn’t stop you from getting it and I leveled her with 98 percent of the overrun hospitals in Florida were unvaccinated and the remains 2 percent were primarily elderly and compromised patients like my dad. I told her I couldn’t believe a healthcare provider would put her patients at risk and I wouldn’t have her kill my dad so please leave and ask her boss to send a nurse with enough sense to be vaccinated. Keep in mind this is rural north Florida so there are likely plenty of unvaccinated healthcare providers.

Long answer to say you did the right thing and find a dentist that will confirm the dentist and assistant working on you will be vaccinated.

[spooky3]

29. Good for you! Nt

[flamingdem]

30. Excellent

They need to hear it and loudly.

[amuse bouche]

33. Did your dad get a vaccinated nurse and how long did that take?

[MLAA]

65. When I spoke with manager she confirmed occupational therapist and physical therapist

we’re both vaccinated but the two nurses they have are not. Dad lives in a very small rural town. Since dad is in an assisted living I agreed we would try relying on their assisted living nurse to check his vitals (which they do anyway). And the two physical therapists would pay extra attention to Dad’s vitals etc. He has no wounds to be cared for, so really that was all the home care nurse was going to do.

If for me reason this isn’t adequate I will look for another firm, but at least I know the 2 therapists are vaccinated. My guess is the percent vaccinated in general is probably 30% so having two vaccinated is probably like hitting the jackpot.

[barbtries]

39. good for you.

this has to happen. let the consequences rain down on the unvaccinated covidiots, and maybe they'll pull theirs heads out of their asses.

[Cousin Dupree]

80. Well done!

[frazzled]

16. Even if they can't confirm everyone in the office is vaccinated

I would assume (or at least hope) that they are following all protocols, including wearing N-95 masks and shields when performing the procedure.

Here are the protocols from my dental office (where I had a root canal and crown recently, and am still walking!):

Staff training: Our doctors, hygienists assistants, and office staff underwent extensive safety training to practice enhanced universal precautions and known COVID exposure protocol. We remain up to date as new guidelines are released and will continue to train our staff accordingly.

Elevated infection control: We elevated our infection control standards in accordance with new guidelines from the ADA and CDC, including thorough sterilization and disinfection of treatment rooms and instruments between each patient.

PPE for all staff: All staff members will be wearing enhanced PPE in accordance with CDC & ADA recommendations, including n95 masks, face shields, and gowns.

Pre-Screening: All patients will be asked several screening questions prior to coming in for appointments.

Contactless check in & out: You may check-in and check-out without needing to stop by the front desk.

Tele-dentistry: We introduced a new virtual service for pre-treatment consultations, orthodontic consultations, post-op, and more.

[Delphinus]

19. Wow!

That's fantastic! Kudos to that office!

[marybourg]

25. I seem to be missing the word "vaccinated", however.

[frazzled]

45. I mentioned it in the header

My point being ... if they can't verify that everyone has been vaccinated, it's still pretty safe if staff is required to wear N-95 masks, plastic shields, gowns, and gloves.

[marybourg]

58. I'm only going to a dental office

where they can provide me with a vaccinated hygienist.

[frazzled]

62. Good

But remember: a vaccinated person can also infect you. (Or you could infect the hygienist.) That is the sad and scary truth of our current situation, according to the science.

We should say, "I'd like someone who is vaccinated, masked, shielded, gloved, and gowned." I wouldn't want to get my teeth cleaned by an unmasked vaccinated person.

[marybourg]

63. You're right. Although they've always been gowned, masked and

gloved. I don’t remember if they used to use a shield before the plague.

[louslobbs]

18. No, you did not overstep.

No one in the medical profession should be unvaccinated and if they are, they should find a new profession. Everyone in my dentists office is vaccinated, otherwise they would have 4 less patients. Me, my spouse, our best friend and his spouse. I was referred for a root canal in April and I didn’t even have to ask, my dentist advised that everyone at the referral office was vaccinated. I would ask to be referred to an office where all of the staff believe in science and don’t let politics interfere with your treatment. So sick of this bullshit! Please use caution with this referral….why is your primary even using this office as a referral? I’d be pissed.

[marble falls]

20. No. Reasonable questions worthy of a reasonable answer.

[Treefrog]

21. I would ask too.

If hey won’t give me an answer, I’ll politely thank them and move on.

Unbelievable we live in these times.

[littlemissmartypants]

22. Definitely not. You're the boss. They wouldn't have a job without patients.

I was treated at my orthodontist by a wonderful woman in full PPE. She even double gloved. I was so thankful and relieved when I got to my appointment and was treated as the precious patient I am. I had been totally prepared to leave if I didn't feel comfortable. I was very thankful I didn't have to make that choice. You definitely didn't overstep. ❤

[Jon King]

23. So if the dentist had said yes, then what? How is it verified?

I see a few comments as to how their dentist said yes, personnel are vaccinated. Now what?

Is it verified that each employee has their vaccination card? Did you see them? Can you see them? Or is it the honor system where the dentist asked and the employee said yes?

I have cousins who are dentists, been to parties and events for 20 years with many dentists...sorry, they are a pretty shifty lot trying to survive in a highly competitive business.

A dentist just telling me yes would not mean a thing.

[sarge43]

24. No. You have the right and responsibility to protect yourself ... and others.

Thanks for the reminder. I have an extraction scheduled, so I'm going the dental office and check on the status, including vaxx.

[Trueblue1968]

26. no you did not. Do NOT give that dentist your money.

[rickyhall]

27. I would think professional medical people would be vaccinated as part of their profession.

It's like a lawyer who didn't quite pass the bar, but still wants to practice law.

[oregonjen]

28. You did not overstep

Protecting yourself and others around you is necessary!
I did that with an HVAC company, if the tech was vaxxed or not. Will not let anyone in my home who is not vaccinated.

[NQAS]

31. You were not unreasonable

And it is appalling that health care workers choose not to be vaccinated. Calls into question their judgment and maybe even their competence, whether it's a dental tech or the dentist.

That said, it's a judgment call on your part whether you continue with your appointment or look for another dentist. That could be a pain. First, like most every other job in the universe these days, scheduling is out much longer than it used to be. And, second, you might encounter the same issue.

One possibility would be to ask that the people expected to work on you are vaccinated.

And, yes, unvaccinated people should be treated as pariahs.

[ShazzieB]

32. You absolutely did NOT overstep your bounds!

I should be doing the same thing, but I'll confess I just don't always remember to check when making an appointment.

For example, I recently started seeing a retina specialist for monthly injections to treat a problem that could endanger my eyesight if neglected. I didn't think to ask about staff vaccination status before I went, and now that I've started treatment, I really don't want to change horses in the middle of the river. Changing could cause delays, which could jeopardize the effectiveness of my treatment, AND I really, really like this doctor, doggone it!

They are scrupulous about covid precautions in other ways (wearing masks and gloves, requiring patients to mask, social distancing in the waiting room, temperature checks, etc.), and I'm in the Chicago area, where the percentage of adults that are vaccinated is relatively high and we don't have covid cases raging out of control like down south. I started going there before this latest surge started up, during that window of time where I felt pretty safe as a fully vaccinated person. (That was nice while it lasted, hey? ) Even though I'm kind of spooked now, by all the breakthrough Delta infections, I'm going to stick with this practice for the reasons mentioned above. If I lived in a covid hot-spot, I would OF COURSE be way, way, WAY more cautious.

[Hortensis]

34. Maybe put the practice's response on line, where your community will find it.

Just the facts, ma'am, as a public service.

[bluboid]

35. uh, NO...

you did NOT overstep your bounds. more power to you!

[barbtries]

37. No. It's totally okay for you to ask.

In NC they don't have to answer. I would take the refusal as a no.

[WashingMachineChrley]

38. I Would Think Not!

[gopiscrap]

86. welcome to DU

[ananda]

40. Why are you questioning yourself?

It's a matter of life and death, and any practice should
make sure everyone is vaxxed.

[Raine]

41. Did they ask you about your vaccine status? I'm

curious because I have a dentist appointment coming up soon.

[CTyankee]

42. Doesn't happen in my dentist's office. I adore the man. Everyone has been completely vaccinated and

they take all security measures. He's a strong Democrat and I had to go to him for an extraction on Jan. 6. I was a slobbering mess when I came to his office, traumatized by what I was seeing on TV. He and his staff treated me with kindness and sensitivity. I got a scrip for pain pills and took one when I got home. It eased both physical and psychic pain that awful day.

[findeerror]

43. Certainly not!

You're being completely reasonable. You can't remain masked all the time at the dentist, and you can't avoid physical contact with personnel there.

I just found out a neighbor who is a nurse in a stepdown unit (just below ICU) at a local hospital is also a anti-vax Trumpist. Deeply concerned for those under care from anyone like this. It's just chilling that someone would put such vulnerable people at risk.

[canetoad]

69. Quick question

What does the extra 'e' stand for in your username?

[spike jones]

44. I went to the dentist in mid-July to get the teeth cleaned.

I ask if everyone in the office was vaccinated and, too, was told that some were and some were not. This was at my regular dentist and I did not want to go to another office, so I requested and was told that everyone working on me would vaccinated, and I trust they were.
After a year and half of social distancing and isolation, I suffered the trauma of someone’s face inches from mine, and their fingers in my mouth. She did a good job and I told her that if I did not get sick and die from the visit, I would be back on a regular basis

[Bleacher Creature]

46. Absolutely, 100% a perfectly appropriate question.

I've had a couple of doctor's offices volunteer the fact that they are 100% vaccinated before I could even ask. It's incredibly important and relevant and I would question any medical office that couldn't provide that assurance.

[bluescribbler]

47. You did not.

It is not too much to ask.

[Rebl2]

48. Nope!

[aggiesal]

49. If you've been vaccinated, you might be able to get a DIGITAL vaccine card ...

You'll get a QR Code for your status. Save the QR Code on your phone or other devices.
This QR Code will not work with any scan reader unless you have a Health Card scan reader. (See below)

California
https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
You'll need to create a 4 digit pin, so that nobody else can access your record.

Colorado
https://mycolorado.state.co.us/

New York
https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass

Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Dakota, Washington and West Virginia & D.C.
https://myirmobile.com/

Then download the SMART Health Card Verifier app.
This app displays your COVID-19 Vaccination Record
Displays Where & When you received both Doses (If needed).
And which agency is issuing the confirmation. (in my case, State Of California)
It will not display Date of Birth.

Then when you go to your dentist office, I'd only ask for the digital card because
paper cards are easily forged, but digital QR Codes are not.
Take your SMART Health Card Verifier and snap away.
I'd then ask to see their state/passport issued ID matches the name on the SMART Health Card Verifier.

I could attach images if someone can provide instructions on how to load images in these DU postings.

[No Vested Interest]

64. I'm sure there are a lot of old timers out here like me who have older flip phones.

Last edited Mon Aug 23, 2021, 08:19 PM - Edit history (1)

I have no desire to upgrade to newer style phones, thank you.
I do realize that I'm missing out on features such as you mention.
Money is not the issue.
Just don't want to be over-burdened with one more thing.

[Demobrat]

50. I asked if everyone in my dentist's office was vaccinated.

The person looked at me like I was nuts and said “Yes everyone here is vaccinated”.

This is in commie liberal San Francisco.

[seta1950]

51. No

It is your right, to ask, go somewhere else.

[Vinca]

52. Everyone who works in a medical or medical-like setting needs to be vaccinated.

There's no justification at all for them not being vaccinated. I'm so grateful our local hospital set a date for the employees to be vaccinated or not bother to come in to work. The people at the dentist's office were all happy as clams to be among the first vaccinated. Guess I live in Sane-istan. I don't think you went too far at all.

[boston bean]

53. I ask every health professional I interact with if they have been vaccinated.

I asked at the dentist is all we’re vaxed and they happily responded that yes they were!

[ProfessorGAC]

59. Our Dentist Told My Wife The Same

There's 8 people total, and she answered "Yep, all 8 of us."
I've got a checkup coming up, & was glad to hear that.

[marieo1]

54. Overreaction

No....she overreacted.............you have a right to question.

[Harker]

55. Did you administer Novocaine before touching that nerve?

Fair questions, and you're wise to ask them.

[Volaris]

56. Nope not even a little bit.

Stomping out this plague will now require the intervention of the Free Market. Individual businesses will have to start firing their employees that dont wanna go get their damn shots.

The ONLY THING that makes that decision market-viable, is if the Market decides to TELL THEM exactly why they're taking their business elsewhere.

These anti-vaxxers only THINK they're exercising control over their own lives and decision-making...but that's only because their Free Market Employers HAVENT YET DECIDED that their personal desires dont matter one little whit to how much money can be made in their ABSENCE.

[Ms. Toad]

57. Absolutely not.

With any luck, now that Pfizer has full approval more places will make vaccinations mandatory.

[calimary]

60. Absolutely NOT! Um, YOU have rights, TOO!

The yowlers and malcontents are all in an uproar about their rights.

Since when do they get to be the only ones asserting their rights and demanding that all the rest of us genuflect to them?

[Skittles]

61. find a dental practice where everyone is vaccinated

seriously

[Eliot Rosewater]

66. Good for you, I will ask my dentist office tomorrow the same thing.

[Scrivener7]

67. Get another dentist. They overstepped their bounds. The risk here is death. Why is

that so hard for people to keep in their heads??

[dickthegrouch]

68. I just fired my dentist for the same reason/nt

[mrsadm]

70. Your report prompted me to call my Dentist just now

The receptionist would not answer my question about the dentist being vaccinated, "because of HIPA". But she said she would ask the dentist if it is OK to give out that information. I hope she gets back to me. I'm scheduled for an extraction on Monday.

[murielm99]

71. I had a tooth extraction earlier this year.

It was before the vaccine was available to the public at large.

However, the person I spoke with told me that the dentist and his staff were all vaccinated. I was required to have a negative covid test before I could schedule the appointment. They set the test appointment up for me at the local hospital.

Find a dental practice that is as proactive as mine.

[RicROC]

72. I'm having minor surgery in September....

The office is very strict about patients being masked and also, they MUST have a covid test 2 days before surgery at one of only 2 specific test sites. However, when I asked if everyone in the office is vax'd, I was told that they are not allowed to divulge that information, yet all will be following proper protocols.

HUH? I still say, if a health care office does not have 100% vaccination rate, then that office is liable for medical malpractice by putting patients at risk ( and being hypocritical about their protocols demanded of their patients.)

[appleannie1]

73. No. It is your health you are protecting.

The front part of my bottom plate broke off about two months into COVID. I tried super glue and it would it did not hold. I have gone without teeth in the front of my mouth ever since. Just before the COVID break, I developed a cyst on my spine and was unable to sit longer than 5 minutes and could not get a new plate for the few months it might have been safe. Now there is Delta. I am quite happy to wear a mask in public for a number of reasons, not just COVID. I understand completely how you feel.

[wolfie001]

74. You were 100% correct!

I'm sure the receptionist wasn't vaccinated. That would explain the change in tone.

[Javaman]

75. nope, not at all. everyone should be asking these same questions.

good on you! Cheers.

[myohmy2]

76. "Did I overstep my bounds?"

...nah, she's probably an anti-vaxxer...

...I'd be even more cautious...

...I'd ask if I could see her COVID card...

[ScratchCat]

77. Can I offer a possibility?

Isn't it very possible that what the receptionist meant is that all persons who are actually doing the exam with their hands in your mouth and hanging over you are vaccinated, while other support staff might not be? Of course you didn't overstep any bounds, you have the right to ask whatever question. But I do think its "too much to ask" to require everyone to conform to your wishes. There are simply some people who are just not going to get the "vaccine" because they see no legitimate reason to(fact). Just go to one of many other dental surgeons. It sounds like dental offices are taking the same precautions they were last year this time, which were seen as adequate last year. Since it is a fact that a "vaccinated" person can get and spread covid, I would be more worried about them following masking and cleaning protocols personally.

[Grins]

78. Complete opposite of my dental provider.

Maybe a dozen dentists in the practice along with another dental hygienists plus staff. All of them proud and relived when they got vaccinated back in January.

And wanted to know when/if I was getting vaccinated? An hour later I got the call from the County to come in for my first dose.

[SCantiGOP]

79. We should all be asking this of any business

If a business owner sees that they are losing a portion of their customers, they will become mask mandaters in a hurry.

[Wild blueberry]

81. Asked at my dentist's office too

They said "most" were vaccinated. I now have a new dentist.
I will be asking at every medical office I go to. I expect every person working in health care to be vaccinated.

[librechik]

82. It's really difficult for me to imagine an extraction without Full standard precautions

gloves masks the whole deal observed even if there was not a pandemic.

[global1]

83. I Agree - But The Issues Isn't Re: Standard Precautions - It Has To Do With Being Vaxxed....

I as a person that is vaccinated feel safer if i was in the presence of other vaccinated people.

When you have to deal with un-vaccinated individuals - that to me is an element of danger.

This 'delta variant' is dangerous and deadly.

We've even seen that this variant can breakthrough to vaccinated people.

That is why I believe that all health practitioners need to be vaccinated.

Especially those that are working at extracting a tooth from my open mouth.

[librechik]

85. Ye indeed!

Its scandalous health workers are hesitant. Just shows how fucked our education system is.
Cheers!

[LiberalFighter]

84. one or two options to consider

If you go someplace make sure you let everyone know why you are not using the first place.

Call your health insurance and file a complaint.