In fact, having your teeth checked is precisely important, says dentist Wolter Brands, chairman of the Royal Dutch Society for the Promotion of Dentistry (KNMT). “Good oral health ensures better general health and thus a higher resistance should someone become infected with the virus,” he says in the AD.
Waiting for vaccine
Nevertheless, research by Independer, carried out by Panel Inzicht, shows that people currently prefer to avoid the dentist. Especially in the age category 18 to 34 years, people skip the visit. One fifth of the respondents in the group want to wait until a significant part of the population has been vaccinated.
–
–
“We do indeed see that some Dutch people do not go to the dentist,” says Brands. “This is at least 10 percent, but in regions with many risk groups the percentage can be a lot higher.” The dentist warns against dental damage, and for good reason, it turns out. Half of 18-34 year-olds say they already feel the effects of their teeth.
Peace of mind
According to Brands, people can go to the dentist with confidence. He and his colleagues apply measures that are “of such good quality that Dutch specialists have used them as a guideline for their protocol.” For example, dentists, dental hygienists, orthodontists and oral surgeons now wear mouth masks and face shields. Patients are also given a rinse with hydrogen peroxide if there is a risk of aerosols being released.
–
–
