When the COVID-19 pandemic began, it was fairly clear that if your life didn’t depend on visiting a medical care facility, then you shouldn’t go. While medical professionals figured out how to safely handle their practices during a global pandemic, they advised patients to delay nonessential appointments to avoid the spread of the virus. Now that healthcare providers have a better idea of what precautions they can take to keep themselves and their patients safe, you may be starting to think about rescheduling appointments you’ve missed over the past few months or booking new ones that you don’t want to skip.
Despite some healthcare facilities going back to more normal practices, there are some things you should know when making appointments for yourself or your family. Let’s take a look at a few of the most helpful tips for managing your healthcare during the time of coronavirus.
Ask Your Doctor About Annual Exams
Within the medical community, there is some debate as to the importance of annual physicals. While the once-a-year check-up has been considered standard for quite some time, some experts say that healthy adults under 50 shouldn’t waste their time and money on annual exams. However, doctors are also hesitant to give the impression that these physicals are appointments that can be continually delayed, as they can function as essential preventative care tools.
If your annual exam was canceled earlier in the year or you haven’t made it yet due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the best course of action is to call your doctor. Don’t assume that you can skip the exam entirely this year. Instead, call your doctor and ask if and when you should schedule it. Your doctor may ask you some questions over the phone to get a sense of whether or not you should come into their office. They may offer to do a procedural telemedicine visit instead, which will allow you to see your doctor virtually, or advise that you can wait until next year for an exam.
Consider Your Dental Health History
The dental field has also been left in a strange spot because of the COVID-19 pandemic. About one-third of Americans are unhappy with their teeth, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. However, dental practices are only just starting to reopen in some states for elective procedures, making it difficult for patients to find solutions to their dental woes. Even those who don’t have any noticeable dental issues may be wondering if they should keep their annual exam or delay it in the name of caution.
According to Dr. Zuri Barniv, a dentist in Sunnyvale, California, people who have a history of few or no cavities, maintain good oral health, and haven’t started new prescription medications or had major health changes can wait one to two years between dental exams. Anyone who meets these requirements can feel fairly safe that they won’t face any major dental issues if they hold off on visiting the dentist until the pandemic is over. Otherwise, contact your dentist to see what course of action they recommend. Depending on COVID-19 infection rates in your area, your dentist may clear you to come in for an exam or dental procedure.
Don’t Delay Appointments for Your Kids
Although one of your top priorities is protecting your children from COVID-19, you should be wary of doing that at the expense of other facets of their health. Infants and young children, especially, tend to have regular doctor appointments to ensure that there is nothing wrong with their health and so that they can get certain vaccines. If your child has an appointment coming up, contact your pediatrician to discuss the safety precautions they are taking against COVID-19. They will be able to inform you of any changes in procedure that you’ll need to know when you come to the office and to assure you that your child will be safe from the virus in their office.
For older children going to elective appointments, the best thing to do is to call your healthcare provider for guidance on what to do. Each child is unique as are their health needs, so what may work for your neighbor’s child may not be right for yours. As you’re contacting your doctors and dentists, be sure to think about other medical fields such as orthodontics. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should visit the orthodontist around age seven. If your child’s teeth are fairly straight, you can probably skip this appointment. However, if your child’s dentist has recommended taking them to an orthodontist when it’s time, call up the local orthodontist to find out if they’re taking patients and what safety precautions they have in place. Other facets of health you should consider contacting professionals for even in the time of COVID-19 include mental health, dermatology, and eye health.
No matter what age you are, staying on top of your healthcare needs is essential for your long-term wellbeing. Not only should you make sure that you’re going to the appointments that you need to, but you need to keep your health insurance up to date and take legal steps like getting a healthcare proxy, which is recommended for anyone over 30 years old. By prioritizing your health care in this variety of ways during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll be able to make sure that you and your family stay safe and healthy all year long.
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