Malta dentist taking 911 calls for dental care amid COVID-19 crisis
SARATOGA NY (WRGB) - A Saratoga County dentist is answering the call for emergency dental care during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Many dental offices across the area have closed in response to the State stopping non-essential dental work for COVID-19. As hospitals are busy dealing with Coronavirus, he says going to the hospital for a dental emergency isn’t a good idea if you can avoid it.
Dr. Rich Salvatore says the dental office closures have caused problems for patients who have had serious, unexpected problems with their teeth.
“There are many patients who are calling around to try and get help,” Salvatore said.
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Dr. Rich Salvatore commonly known as Dr. Rich owns Salvatore Dental in Malta. His family has been providing dental services in the area since the 1930's. He tells me he feels a need to help with dental emergencies during the COVID-19 crisis.
“It’s going to be anyone with a dental infection, immediate pain or the inability to eat, so those kind of fall within the guidelines. We are able to see those patients and treat them,” Salvatore said.
After Governor Cuomo announced non-essential dental care must stop for COVID-19, Dr. Rich says many dental offices closed and patients across the area have been flocking to emergency rooms for emergency dental work, many unable to get a hold of their regular dentists.
“I had one patient yesterday who called 10 different offices and we were the first ones to pick up,” he said.
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Dr. Rich made the decision to stay open, to alleviate the load on hospitals. He says he's been seeing 8 to 10 patients per day, using teleconferencing beforehand to tell if a visit is necessary.
“I can talk to you like I am right now, over the computer and I can pretty much diagnose if we can see you in the office or if we need to use palliative measures like pain control,” he said.
Because people are unable to get regular dental care and with illness going around, Dr. Rich says regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash are essential to prevent a mouth infection.
“That can lower our ability to fight other infections. Right now, I would say it’s more important than ever to make sure that our mouths are healthy,” he said.
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Dr. Rich says if you do go to an ER for a dental emergency, you will likely be given pain medication or antibiotics to hold you over until you can see a dentist.
Dr. Rich is available by cell phone to answer emergency calls here:
- Salvatore Dental
- 518-899-6068
- office@salvatoredental.com
- salvatoredental.com
CBS 6 has a full list of businesses that are open during the crisis here: WereOpen518
If you would like to add your business to the list you can do so by following the link above.