During the lockdown for Covid-19, our youngest daughter Shane suddenly complained of a toothache. It is her upper right permanent molar and it already has a cavity. But given the circumstances of the community quarantine in Bacolod City, our family dentist could not treat her. We had to wait for establishments to re-open with the “new normal”. And it is not easy to get a dental checkup at this time. Covid-19 has really altered our lifestyles.
- Related: Benefits of Having a Family Dentist
Setting a Dental Appointment
Foremost, we had to wait until Bacolod City lifted the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) order. When it was downgraded to GCQ, or General Community Quarantine, a lot of establishments were already allowed to open—including Bacolod dental clinics.
But of course, there were limitations. A lot of contamination can happen in a dentist’s clinic and Comfydent Dental in Bacolod City is working to protect its dentists, staff, their families, and most of all their current and future patients.
Getting a Dental Checkup for the New Operations
Our dentists arranged their clinic in such a way that they are following the health and safety protocols set by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases). This included purchasing new dental equipment that will be used for cleaning teeth. Their staff, who are nurses, were also trained on how to handle all patients and other guests.
- Related: First Tooth Extraction a Failure
With all the new changes, they only opened last May 18, 2020 and as always, it is still per appointment only. However, the appointment would take longer because they cannot just easily accept clients. They can only cater to a few patients per day.
Safety Protocols
To set up an appointment at Comfydent Dental Clinic, you need to call or send a text message to (0922) 4335590. You need to wait for a confirmation on the available date.
The night before your visit, they will call you and ask a series of questions regarding your physical wellness. You will have to answer the same questionnaire right before your procedure just to make sure that you are not sick.
Safety At the Clinic
Here are the safety protocols that the Comfydent Dental has set up to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in their clinic. They are a family clinic — a family of dentists servings families — so they are being careful. As a mom, I am assured that it’s safe to bring my kids there.
Face Mask
They will remind you to wear a face mask during your visit. Those who are not wearing face masks will not be allowed to enter the premises. This is mandatory.
Foot Bath
Everyone has to go through the foot bath at the entrance and stay there for at least 30 seconds. There’s a plastic curtain that separates this area from the sidewalk.
Temperature Scan
A clinic staff will take your temperature at the entrance. If your temperature is consistently elevated, you will not be allowed entry inside the clinic because that means you are already febrile.
Alcohol wash
After all the protocols outside the clinic are satisfied, the patient can enter and his or her hands are sprayed with alcohol.
Bag Deposit
Patients are advised to bring limited stuff with them when going to the clinic. The doctors prefer that the clinic is your first stop from your home. For example, they discourage going to the supermarket and bringing your grocery items inside the clinic.
Beside the door is a storage basket lined with a disposable plastic bag. All your excess stuff like water bottles, caps, or big bags should be left there. I brought a little sling bag for my wallet and that was allowed inside.
Social Distancing
Inside the clinic, patients are to stay at least one seat apart from each other while waiting for their turn. Children will be asked to stay in their seats — and this was really a problem for Shane because she likes roaming around the clinic.
Wearing of PPEs
Before reaching the treatment rooms, each patient and companion (for children) should wear PPEs. Only one companion per patient is allowed.
The Dentist and Assistant
After each patient, the dentist will have to change the exterior PPEs. All gloves are disposed of properly. Meanwhile, the assistant disinfects everything, including the dental chair, and also changes PPE. This is the reason why it takes a lot of time to prepare for the next patient.
Gloves
As part of their PPE, all the dentists and staff at Comfydent wear gloves like unigloves. These are changed after every client and disposed of properly. They don’t take chances on things like these.
Higher Fees
The dental clinic has no choice but to increase their fees because of the new safety protocols. This is understandable because of all the changes plus the disposable items that they have to throw away after each use. But if we want to be safe, these things are necessary.
Our Experience
Shane was really excited to see Tito Doc Eltton, not only because of her aching tooth but also because she wanted to show him her unicorn shirt and fan. Additionally, she was excited to see Jellybean, the daughter of Tita Doc Dianne Lim-Militante.
However, we did not expect her to act out during the procedure. When Tito Doc prepared the filling for her tooth, she wouldn’t open her mouth that it dried up. Tito Doc had to prepare another mixture. With that, I had to bribe her for so many things, including taking out her unicorn toys that we have kept last time.
It was really bad and I wasn’t prepared for it because we have been to Comfydent Dental since she was two years old. And she had never made a fuss during all our dental appointments. In fact, she is always excited to see Tito Doc.
I think the problem was it was too tedious to get inside the clinic. She couldn’t move around either, like she did before. Moreover, when we went into the clinic, she couldn’t see Tito Doc’s face nor that of Manang Jessa the assistant. I believe it was traumatic for a young child, which I did not prepare her for.
So if you are going to bring your young children for a dental check-up, please inform them of the safety protocols in relation to Covid-19. They will really need it.
- Teething story: Teething Powder from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Contact Details
Comfydent Dental
Malaspina-BS Aquino Drive, Bacolod City
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Book your dental checkup through Mobile (63922) 4335590
Or Tel. No. (034) 431 -1131 | Cash payments only.
Last week nagpunta din Po kami sa Dentist Ng panganay Kung Anak. Pero bago din Po kami pumunta Nag pa apointment din Po kami Kasi they didn’t accept walk in clients. Naka ppe din Po kami even me pagdating po doon. Meron footsock and Headcap. Ereremove lang din Po Ang mask kapag echecheck na tlaga ni Doc. Ang teeth. Soon nadadamay din Po Tayo sa new normal.💪
Sa dental clinic din na lagi ako nagpapa-cleaning momsh, meron din pong safety protocols na dapat sundin hindi na tulad ng dati na pupunta ka lang okay na. Ngayon kasi kailangan magpapa-appointment ka ahead of time kasi di nila inaaccept dahil kailangan ng social distancing at hindi pwedeng sumobra yung dami ng tao sa loob ng clinic. Required din po na naka-PPE yung clients po. Kaya for now di pa po ako nakakabalik. Siguro pag medyo lumuwag na po.