May 18, 2020

5 Common Questions of At-Risk Patients, Answered

At-risk patient with mask following tips from her dentist

COVID-19 is a very contagious virus that can infect anyone. However, it can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening for those at a higher risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified several factors that increase your chances of serious illness from COVID-19, including older age, lung disease, heart conditions, and a weakened immune system. If you or a loved one has a high risk of complications from the coronavirus, it’s essential that you take extra precautions to protect yourself. Your Vancleave dentist answers five common questions you may have about staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

1.) How Can I Keep Myself & My Family Safe From COVID-19?

Currently, there is no vaccine or medicine for COVID-19. However, there are simple yet effective ways you can protect yourself from getting sick. The official recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:

  • Limiting your exposure and staying at home as much as possible.
  • Practicing social distancing when you must go out in public.
  • Wash your hands regularly and disinfect your home often.

2.) How Can I Stay Healthy While Getting Groceries?

The safest way to get your groceries is to have them brought to you via a contactless delivery. Low exposure services like drive-thru or pick-up are the next best option. You may also choose to shop in-person at a store that offers hours only for at-risk customers.

3.) What Precautions Should I Take When Ordering Takeout?

Similar to getting groceries, the best way to order takeout food is to use contactless delivery and drive-thrus whenever possible. If you want to support a local restaurant but need to go inside to pick up your order, remember to wear a face covering, practice social distancing, and avoid touching high-traffic surfaces.

4.) Is There a Safe Way to Get My Prescriptions?

If you take prescription medication, ask your regular pharmacy if they offer home delivery or curbside pickup options. Alternatively, you can utilize a mail-order pharmacy to have your medications sent to your home. You can easily contact your physician to request that your prescriptions are sent to a pharmacy that offers these options.

5.) Should I Still Go to My Dentist or Doctor Appointment?

While some medical and dental appointments are necessary for your ongoing health, others can be postponed or changed to virtual visits. You should call your physician or dentist to discover if your appointment should be rescheduled for a later date. If you do visit a doctor’s or dentist’s practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can rest assured that they are working tirelessly to keep their office as safe and germ-free as possible for you.

We should all be taking special care to protect ourselves during the COVID-19 pandemic for the sake of our entire community. If you or a loved one is at a higher risk of complications from the coronavirus, a few simple but effective precautions can go a long way in keeping you healthy throughout these unusual times.

About the Practice

At Parker Dental & Orthodontics, we found all our dental treatments on three principles: Excellence, Trust, and Caring. We typically demonstrate these ideals to our Alabama and Mississippi patients with high-quality dental services that exceed expectations of comfort and effectiveness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to show our commitment to our patients’ wellbeing with a variety of extra precautions and infection controls. If you’d like to learn more about our dedication to safety, feel free to reach us via our website or at any of the phone numbers for our individual offices listed there.

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