Dentists at Waterford, Mich.-based Stannard, Studt and Tironi Dentistry and others across the country are reevaluating what is considered emergency dental care, according to Detroit's FOX 2 News,
Loose fillings may not fit the bill these days, one area dentist said.
Patients with fillings that have fallen out may be sent to a local drugstore pharmacy for temporary material to pack the filling, Sean Stannard, DDS, said. Dr. Stannard also is relying on teleconferences to communicate with patients.
"We have to keep people out of the urgent care, emergency room, and not overtax our professionals up to their eyebrows right now," Dr. Stannard told FOX 2.
While adjustments are being made, patients can still visit Dr. Stannard's practice for what he considers emergency care:
"If we have something that begins to swell or wake you up at night, showing signs of having an infection, something that's becoming serious, we need to know right away," Dr. Stannard told FOX 2.