Costs rise, fewer patients seen amid new normal at dental clinics

In accordance with guidelines issued by the Philippine Dental Association, dental clinics have established a new normal to keep frontliners as well as their patients safe amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," before patients can enter the dental clinic of Dr. Dan Farnacio, they must first undergo a temperature check.

The patients must also step on a disinfecting mat, wipe their hands with alcohol, undergo fogging, place personal items in a UV box, and wear a new face mask and personal protective equipment as well as shoe covers.

"So new normal, lahat talaga nabago. Although, nagpapasalamat din ako kasi kahit na wala si COVID dapat ganito talaga kasi for the safety and hindi lang naman si COVID ang virus," Farnacio said.

Farnacio also placed an air purifier in his clinic. They are also using a dental aerosol suction system for extra precaution.

"Kapag may ginagawa ka, wala tayong spatter sa area, walang spatter or splatters of what you are doing. Kasi diba sa dental meron tayong mga bursts, 'pag 'yung laway niyan lumipad-lipad sa kapaligiran, unsafe for the next patient or to the assistant of the dentist later on," Farnacio said.

Due to the new precautions, Farnacio said the patients they entertain daily decreased to three to four from the previous five to 10.

"Actually itong pasyente pag dating sa clinic nakausap na ho namin siya. Meron na tayong diagnosis, na diagnose na po siya, nag provide na siya ng x-ray through emails... lahat napagusapan na," he said.

"Kaya pagdating niya they have to wear everything na for the procedure. Tapos hindi siya puwedeng may kasama doon. One patient [at] a time. From one patient to another patient, you have to wait for 30 minutes for sterilizing the area," he added.

Prices have also increased due to the limit on customers as well as the precautions taken.

"Meron tayong tinatawg na PPE fees. It ranges from P500 to P1,000. Wala pang nagagawa, meron ka na agad additional P500 to P1,500. Depende po doon sa clinic, kung gaano kagastos 'yung ginagawa nila," he said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News