Do You Go to the Dentist If You Are Sick?

Updated on July 05, 2013
S.H. asks from Kailua, HI
15 answers

Yes or no?

My son has an appointment tomorrow. Just a regular 6 month check/cleaning.
But he is sick. Off and on fever, headache, dizzy, coughing, runny nose, etc.
So I cancelled it and rescheduled it. I kept him home from his summer program today too.
The Receptionist didn't say yes or no to him being sick yet coming in or not. I did ask her.
But she sounded like a tired ol' receptionist and gave the impression in her tone of voice of "ugh...." type reaction.
Anyway, if you are sick, do you go to the Dentist despite or reschedule it?

TIA!

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Featured Answers

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I call them first and ask if they still want to see me. When i had a supper bad cough a while back.. they told me, they would cancel. and to call when I felt better.. .

Good thing. I ended up having Whooping Cough!

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More Answers

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

No, you made the right call.

You shouldn't expose the dentist or their staff to illness. Yes, they take standard precautions, but still...

And can you imagine trying to get your teeth cleaned, flouride treatment, and bitewings if you can't breathe well through your nose and are coughing?

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

No way! Yuck yuck yuck. I'm sure the dentist wouldn't appreciate having his hands in the mouth of a sick person.

4 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

If I or my kids have a fever, they are not going to the dentist. They may work with gloves and masks - but really? if you or your child are sick, stay home, rest!!

You did the right thing, mama!!

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J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I personally wouldn't go to the dentist if I were sick, so I wouldn't subject a child to go.

3 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

If my child had a fever and could possibly be contagious I would reschedule.

Really?? The reception had attitude on this?

Sorry... I've dealt the last 3 days trying to get my 18 yr old to podiatrist for an issue and I'm sick of the reception acting like they are doing me a favor to try to work her in. Ugh holiday week = don't get sick!!

Updated

If my child had a fever and could possibly be contagious I would reschedule.

Really?? The reception had attitude on this?

Sorry... I've dealt the last 3 days trying to get my 18 yr old to podiatrist for an issue and I'm sick of the reception acting like they are doing me a favor to try to work her in. Ugh holiday week = don't get sick!!

2 moms found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I always reschedule appointments if the person is sick.
I'm sure the dentist's office doesn't want to get sick. I'm sure no one wants to sit there in a chair with their mouth wide open when you can't breathe through your nose and coughing.

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J.D.

answers from Cincinnati on

I do not go if I am sick. I hate it when people come to work sick so I wouldn't take my sick butt to an appointment to risk other people getting sick.
I don't see the point in making your child go to an appointment when he or she doesn't feel good.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

I always reschedule if I'm sick.

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M.L.

answers from Cleveland on

I've done it. If rescheduling and taking another day off of work were an easy option i would do that instead. But the time it happened he wasn't running a fever and just woke up with the sniffles and our appointment was at 9:30 am . Dr just gave him more breaks that usual and i assumed strelized things extra well.
So If rescheduling works for you then by all means do it. if i didn't have to sign my name in blood to take a freakin day off and turning proof that i had actually been to a dr. then i would too.

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I would reschedule.

A trip to the dentist can be uncomfortable enough on its own, then add a fever, dizziness etc. Would YOU want to go?

I also find it terribly disrespectful for someone to go out when they are sick with a fever. Please keep your child's comfort in mind and reschedule.

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T.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know my answer is a little late, but I am behind on my emails, and I was wondering if anyone would answer with what I am about to say.
I would never take my kids to have their teeth cleaned when they are sick, of course, because of the contagious factor, but even more so because when you get your teeth cleaned it releases all kinds of bacteria into your system.
That is why people with certain medical conditions have to take precautions like antibiotics before they have any dental work done, even a cleaning.
I often get sick a few days after I have my teeth cleaned, it takes a little toll on my system, so I definitely would not want to have a cleaning done if I was already sick. That could really cause problems.
I do not even have my kids get their teeth cleaned if we have any big plans for that week, because I know someone is going to get sick. And I don't want to give the impression that my kids take crappy care of their teeth and the bacteria is from that. None of my 3 kids have ever had a cavity. Bacteria around the teeth is normal, but it's not normal as far as our bodies are concerned to have it all released into our system at once.

1 mom found this helpful

A.C.

answers from Huntington on

Going to the dentist is already unpleasant enough when you feel well! I would definitely reschedule the patient was sick. Not only to prevent spreading germs, but having a stuffy nose and breathe through mouth while holding mouth open, having to wipe your nose over and over, the headache you get from having head lower than body when sick...all those things just would be really hard to deal with during a dental visit.
I would only go when sick if it were a dental emergency.

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Z.B.

answers from Toledo on

For a cold? I would suck it up and go. But a fever? That I would reschedule.

Most of the time they have a couple of people on a waiting list who need an appointment. You'd think one of them would be really excited to get your son's appointment! I know I was when it worked out for me :-)

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S.T.

answers from Houston on

I am in dental hygiene school, we see sick people all the time. But if you have a major cough, or are actively throwing up, or have a lot of nasal discharge running down your throat, it would not be a pleasant time for anyone. So you did the right thing

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