“Stay home!” has become the slogan for 2020. Stay home, don’t go out for unnecessary things, don’t see friends or family, etc. Well, what about routine doctor or dental checkups? Are we supposed to stay home for those too? For those of you who are lucky enough to be in good health, dental and otherwise, perhaps you’ve been fortunate enough to be able to push back those routine appointments.
Have you put off those routine appointments because of the pandemic? Do you feel confident about it, or does doing so worry you? Please vote in our poll below and tell us. Leave a comment too, if you will.
we have elected to not participate in the fear and panic. we’re taking what we feel are sensible precautions but we’re living our lives as close to normal as possible. that includes eating out in restaurants which are defying our governor’s “orders” and seeing our doctors in person. they are medical professionals and we trust them.
My thoughts exactly. Doing our best to maintain ‘normalcy’
Agreed! Time to Flatten the Fear.
Following scientific guidelines is not living in fear. I wish everyone would get a handle on that!
I had to go months without much needed cortisone injections for knees and shoulder when everything was locked down in Michigan March until June. I’ve had a few telemedicine appointments but have seen PCP, had teeth cleaned and labs since June as needed.
I haven’t put off routine care, but both my doctor and dentist did early on (up till June 2020) and then only allowed people in with masks and social distancing in the waiting rooms
The only appointments I missed were eye doctor and dentist. These were because the offices were closed due to the pandemic, not my choice.
Had trouble with the hospital cancelling, was a podiatry, foot doctor, appointment.
Early on while dentists offices were closed down, an appointment was canceled by the office for routine cleaning and checkup. As soon as they opened back up, I was back on schedule.
Followed recognized experts suggestions and Governors directions. Trusted my medical team and scowled under my mask at those who deny Covid existence, those who would not wear masks, continued to mingle in large groups, etc.
Oh man. I broke a tooth and had crown work scheduled and the night before the work was supposed to start, the dentist called and said we had to postpone. Went 4 months with a broken tooth. The only appointment we had to postpone, thankfully.
I did not put off any medical or dental procedures, however I had them put off by the provider.
Me too
I have not intentionally put any off. Some were cancelled due to the lockdown.
Stopping regular appts.-Don’t do it. Close friend’s husband put off routine dental appointments. He developed a cavity, wasn’t painful but there was an associated bacterial infection that got in his bloodstream. Damaged a heart valve and he had to have a valve replacement last month. He’s recovering well, but all that over a dental cavity, get your checkups.
I had an April appointment for an annual dental checkup but the dentist’s assistant called me to cancel it until further notice. She said that they would call me when they would be seeing non-emergency patients again. They haven’t yet called me to re-schedule but I’m not concerned since I have very good teeth.
Our dental office was closed during the elective surgery ban.
For the first three months of the panic, yes indeed. Since then, no. With hospitals nearing capacity here, I’m concerned we’re about to go through another 2-3 month stretch of shutdowns in Jan-Mar till the vaccine effect starts kicking in. Get those haircuts and Doctor’s visits done now!
yes, but not by my choice. Always by the medical org.
Yes we have passed on regular visits since February. Thank goodness that we don’t have any critical needs to visit doctors or dentists during this time, so since we are lucky enough to not have any essential needs, we can sure wait.
Only delayed them a bit. Routine visits. No big deal, thankfully!
I haven’t, but the VA has. So I haven’t of my volition anyway.
I said yes only because regular office visits were shutdown between April and July and I had to move my appointments
Just got replacement lower denture two weeks ago with no problem getting service. this was a 5 week process.
Early in the year most of my medical appointments were rescheduled. Since then there hasn’t been any real issues making appointments. If I just need to get advice my doctor’s office uses virtual visit and then decides if I need to come in.
I had a “virtual” meeting with my Primary Care Physician several months ago as it was not safe to travel to the NY Metro area. I did get an actual dental check up in TN and, since I was entitled to a new pair of Rx eyeglasses, had my optometrist send me the Rx I had ! a year ago. I would VERY much like to get back to NY to take care of ALL my medical needs but, I expect it will be at LEAST months (and likely longer) before I believe it will be safe to do so.I do NOT plan on being one of the “guinea pigs” to test the new vaccines that are on the horizon. I’ll continue to “isolate in place” here (where I’m safe) for some time after Covid-19 vaccinations have started.
Live in SW Washington have Doctors in Oregon and Washington, could get emergency service this last summer. Dental and some basic medical was shut down for a while.
Dentist & Doctors canceled the appointments
I had a virtual Wellness Visit about on time, what a laugh! My clinic delayed my real Wellness Visit for four months (still a laugh!).
Yes but not by MY choice. Dentist now only does emergency work.