COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE in TACOMA , WA
Dr . Jeff Reynolds , Dental Director
ON MARCH 19 , 2020 ,
Washington State Governor , Jay Inslee announced new restrictions on non-urgent medical and dental procedures so the state could make certain that Washington healthcare workers would have enough protective equipment to wear as they work the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Community Health Care provides medical , dental , behavioral health , and pharmacy services to some of our nation ’ s most vulnerable patients . Pre-COVID , the dental clinic was seeing an average of 6,200 patients a month . During the month of April , the clinic saw 1,024 patients . Of the 26 providers in four area clinics , 19 dental professionals were placed on standby . The remaining 7 providers , including 2 NYU Langone Dental Medicine AEGD residents , triaged patients via Teledentistry appointments and saw urgent and emergent care cases . Ninety-five percent of their patient population are underserved , many with comorbidity issues , HIV , diabetes , and heart conditions . For many community members , this is their healthcare home .
“ It was a shock to learn that we would have to limit treatment and tell some patients we could not treat them ,” said Dr . Jeff Reynolds . Immediately , new policies and procedures had to be established and put into place , almost overnight .
The health center built “ bubble operatories ” to separate patients and provide treatment in a clean and safe environment . External suction units were purchased to remove aerosol droplets and all providers were required to use respirators and wear full PPE .
Just shy of two months , on May 18th , Governor Inslee announced that dentists could reopen offices using guidance to prevent the spread of coronavirus . The guidelines required dental offices to develop plans allowing them to expand or contract their workload , based on how the virus was affecting their community . Dr . Reynolds said they are fortunate at Community Health Care that they were able to bring back most of their providers . Those who did not return , made a personal decision to resign . They were also able to graduate both of their AEGD residents , on time . Dr . Reynolds is proud of his team .
“ We were all taking a risk every day when we came to work , but each and every team member was doing all they could to provide the very best service and their patients were appreciative .”
EXTRAORAL DENTAL SUCTION SYSTEM USED TO REMOVE DROPLETS AND AEROSOLS PRODUCED DURING TREATMENT , NOW COMMON IN DENTAL FACILITIES AROUND THE WORLD .
DR . KYLE WILBURN
CURRENT RESIDENT
“ Practicing dentistry during the pandemic has brought several changes to the way we treat patients . All procedures involving aerosols must be provided in an enclosed room . To accommodate this , the clinic has put up plastic barriers around several operatories to “ seal them in .” I ’ ve had to adapt to a new set of dawning and doffing , which includes a face mask / face shield and a respirator . I ’ ve learned to speak extremely loud and clear while wearing this PPE , although sometimes it still seems like I ’ m yelling during appointments . It ’ s still the same practice , but we ’ ve had to get used to new policies and procedures .”
8 NYU LANGONE DENTAL MEDICINE POSTDOCTORAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMS