Stay Safe From the Coronavirus at the Dentist

Your dental office may also want you to fill out a screening form (asking about recent travel, social interactions, and health history) and do a temperature check prior to an appointment. Some practices may have "virtual check-ins," where patients wait in their car, sign in for the appointment on their smartphone, and receive a text when it's time to enter the building. Inside, waiting-room chairs might be spaced at least 6 feet apart.

Because rules vary from state to state, call your dentist's office in advance to find out exactly what protocols it has in place. Note that regular checkups may be postponed: Crowns, fillings, or bridges, for instance, may take priority over a cleaning, Gehani says. In the meantime, keep brushing and flossing regularly at home.