Many patients are postponing their dental care, routine and otherwise, during COVID-19. In the span of one day, two patients presented to my practice with life-threating situations—one with crazy-high blood pressure, and the other with a huge abscess that was causing breathing and swallowing problems.
As dental professionals, we see many of our patients more frequently than our physician counterparts do. Consequently, we can catch and diagnose issues earlier. We must recognize that we are a huge factor in the overall health industry and play an important role in overseeing our patients’ care.
In this video, Stacey L. Gividen, DDS, explains the role of dental professionals in the overall health and well-being of our patients, particularly during COVID-19.
Stacey L. Gividen, DDS, a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry, is in private practice in Hamilton, Montana. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Montana in the Anatomy and Physiology Department. Dr. Gividen is the editorial co-director of Through the Loupes and a contributing author for DentistryIQ, Perio-Implant Advisory, and Dental Economics. She serves on the Dental Economics editorial advisory board. You may contact her at [email protected].
