Question:
Is it safe for a very elderly, treatment naïve CLL patient (12+ years) to visit a dentist? If so, do you have any recommendations to lessen my risk?
Is it safe to go to the dentist for a cleaning after almost two years of staying away?
I reside in Massachusetts where COVID incidence per 100,00 (in our town) currently fluctuates between 10 and 20; the county population is highly vaccinated with 81% of those eligible being fully vaccinated.
Answer: We would suggest that special arrangements be made before going in, verifying that any and all staff that work on you:
- Wear N-95 masks since they will be in close proximity to the face; and
- Ensure all staff who will have contact with you or are allowed to come into the room during the visit are fully vaccinated (including booster shots) without exception.
- Request to be the very first patient seen for the day, perhaps even before the office opens to the general public to decrease the amount of exposure to others who are unmasked in the waiting area.
While vaccination rates are higher in your area than most, they are still not 100% and the level of spread is still moderate. Also, you might consider asking if any special arrangements can be made to come in earlier to the office before any other patients get there.
