We asked five dental professionals how Covid-19 has affected their businesses and what they predict will happen once the pandemic is over. From his base in Spain, Dr. Fernando Rojas-Vizcaya talks about how patients are coming back for treatments. He also sees a possible development where those who suffered financially in the pandemic might opt for cheaper solutions instead of implants.

How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your everyday work, Dr. Rojas-Vizcaya?

Since our clinic specializes exclusively in implantology and prosthodontics, mainly larger cases, we see one or two patients a day. Therefore, the pandemic has not affected us in the number of patients we treat. However, we have increased the protection protocols concerning all clinic staff and the admission of patients.

What is your current situation like?

I am working only mornings in August, which is more due to it being summer than as a result of the pandemic. In September we hope to work full days again.

Have you begun treating patients again?

Yes, after quarantine we started to work.

What has been the most profound change to your daily business due to Covid-19?

I would say the increase in protection measures during treatments and the protocols of entry to the clinic for both patients and packages.

Do you think Covid-19 will have a lasting effect on implant dentistry? If so, how?

Yes, it will. The pandemic has affected the population differently. Those with an unchanged economic situation will be able to have dental treatments, and the travel restriction makes their decision to invest in dental treatments easier. Sadly, the majority is adversely affected financially. I think many will refrain from visiting the dentist. If they do, they will either go for treatments that are cheaper than dental implants or choose something that keeps them pain-free and stable until their economic situation improves.

What are your general thoughts on the future for the implant dentistry?

Due to the economic crisis generated by Covid-19, there will be fewer expensive implant treatments. It will be necessary to work with simplified protocols for dental implants, materials that reduce the cost of dental procedures or choose non-implant alternatives to get patients to visit their dentists. Like everyone, I hope the vaccine will be developed as soon as possible, so that we can eventually return to normality with a new view on treatments and safety.

Read more about how other dental professionals are affected by and experience the pandemic:

“A good thing to emerge was the communication and sharing of ideas and information” – Dr. Martin Wanendeya in the UK

“We helped develop a network of offices treating Covid-19-infected patients in our area” – Dr. Mischa Krebs in Germany

“Our new waiting room is the patients’ cars” – Dr. Gary Jones in the USA

“We have increased investment in safety precautions” – Dr. Marco Degidi in Italy