Oklahoma dental professionals say patient volume has returned to pre-pandemic level

Many Oklahoma dentists and dental hygienists across the state say business is booming, according to The Enid News & Eagle.

"My practice is back to the level it was before COVID," said Chris Fagan, DDS, a dentist with Enid-based Brush Pediatric and Family Dentistry. "We're busy. I would say people are a little cautious, but they're still coming in. In my conversations with other dentists, pretty much everybody is having that experience."

Most hygienists have full schedules as they treat a large backlog of patients caused by the lockdown, said Laurie Humphrey, president-elect for Oklahoma Dental Hygienists' Association.

Susan Rogers, executive director of Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, said no COVID-19 cases have been tied to dental visits since practices were able to reopen May 1. The board hasn't had to shut down any practices for virus-related reasons, according to Ms. Rogers.

Clinic visits haven't dropped at Oklahoma City-based OU College of Dentistry, though some patients have postponed routine treatment, said Assistant Dean Paul Mullasseril, DDS.

"We are concerned about increasing case numbers, but patients are still coming in," Dr. Mullasseril told The Enid News & Eagle.

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