Dental patients in San Francisco must receive a COVID-19 test before procedures that can produce dental aerosols, excluding emergencies, according to ABC's KABC-TV.
"If you're coming in for a routine procedure then you will need to be tested for COVID at least 3-4 days in advance," said Antigone Skoulas, DDS, a San Francisco-based dentist.
She says the policy is designed to be helpful, but is not mandated statewide. Dr. Skoulas said she is worried some of her patients may go to dentists in other cities without the testing policy, but is optimistic they will stay.
Patients could also contract the virus between the time the test is taken and their dental appointment.