Hyderabad: Dentists want coronavirus testing kits

Hyderabad: Private dental clinics that have resumed services recently have been very guarded in their approach understandably in view of Corona pandemic. Most of these clinics in the twin-cities function in small spaces in view of high rental prices and as such the waiting area is very limited. Ensuring physical distancing is not possible and hence patients coming for dental procedures in little advance to their scheduled appointment time are being told to wait outside by sitting in their cars before they are called inside the clinic.

This is being done as it is not safe to make three or four patients and their attendants sit in the waiting area due to infection spread concerns. Unless it is an emergency or unbearable pain in the teeth, patients are being advised not to come for consultations also. Dr Siddartha Tatipally, a senior dentist from the city stated that they have been giving free phone consultations prescribing medicines and general advice to regular and known patients to overcome their not so major issues with teeth. Only those who are in need of emergency treatments are being advised to visit the clinic, he said.

He also said that dentists are very apprehensive as they deal with patient's oral cavity issues. The PPE kits and a separate mask have to be worn by them if they have to carry out major procedures or there can be infection risk always.

It is for this reason private dentists are looking upto affordable corona testing kits whenever they are introduced in the market. Dentists are willing to buy these kits in bulk so as to test every patient visiting their clinic for treatment. Those reporting positive can be told to come after few weeks while those testing negative could be given treatment without worrying about spread of infection.