How COVID Changed Dentistry Forever

A look at the new safety protocols, patient expectations, and virtual tools that are here to stay

When COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill, dentistry faced a unique challenge: how do you safely provide care in one of the most aerosol-generating professions there is?

While many industries adapted by going remote, dentistry had no such luxury. You can’t clean teeth over Zoom. And yet, in the years since the pandemic began, the profession has emerged not just more resilient—but transformed.

Here’s how COVID changed dentistry forever—and what patients and providers can expect going forward.

1. Infection Control Got a Massive Upgrade

Dentists were no strangers to infection control before COVID, but the pandemic introduced a new level of vigilance. Practices adopted:

• Pre-appointment screenings and temperature checks

• HEPA air filtration systems in treatment rooms

• Enhanced PPE, including face shields, N95 masks, and disposable gowns

• Pre-rinse antiseptic mouthwashes to reduce viral load

• Longer spacing between patients to allow for sterilization and air exchange

What started as emergency measures have now become standard protocol in many practices—not just for COVID, but to reduce risk from all airborne pathogens.

Why it’s here to stay: Patients now expect visible signs of safety, and dentists have embraced the improvements.

2. Teledentistry Went from Niche to Normal

Before 2020, few patients (and even fewer dentists) considered virtual appointments feasible. But when clinics had to close their doors, teledentistry stepped in to fill the gap.

Today, it’s being used for:

• Initial consultations

• Post-op check-ins

• Oral health education

• Triage for emergency visits

• Remote monitoring of aligner progress

While you’ll still need to show up in person for procedures, the convenience and efficiency of virtual care has become a permanent fixture in the patient journey.

Why it’s here to stay: It saves time, improves access, and reduces unnecessary in-person visits.

3. Patient Communication Is Now Front and Center

COVID forced dentists to become better communicators. From explaining delays and safety procedures to educating anxious patients, practices had to step up transparency.

As a result, many clinics now:

• Offer digital intake forms and pre-visit instructions

• Send text or email appointment confirmations with COVID safety guidelines

• Provide more thorough explanations of treatment options and risks

Why it’s here to stay: Clear communication builds trust—and patients now expect it.

4. Dental Anxiety Took on a New Shape

Fear of the dentist is nothing new—but post-COVID, it's layered with new concerns:

• Fear of airborne viruses

• Financial anxiety from job loss or insurance gaps

• General emotional burnout

Modern dental offices are adapting with a more trauma-informed approach: gentler language, more listening, flexible scheduling, and even offering blankets, music, or aromatherapy to reduce stress.

Why it’s here to stay: Mental wellness and dental care are now recognized as interconnected.

5. Technology Adoption Accelerated

With infection risk top of mind, contactless and digital-first solutions gained traction fast:

• Paperless check-ins and payments

• Digital treatment planning

• AI-enhanced diagnostics

• 3D printing of crowns and aligners to reduce lab wait times

Even practices that had been slow to modernize suddenly embraced tech-enabled dentistry, making clinics more efficient and patient-friendly.

Why it’s here to stay: Once you streamline, there’s no going back.

Final Thought: Dentistry Didn’t Just Survive—It Evolved

The pandemic challenged every part of dental care—from hygiene to human connection. But rather than crumble under pressure, the profession adapted with resilience, innovation, and compassion.

As patients, we’re now seeing the best of both worlds: cleaner environments, smarter technology, and more thoughtful care.

At Dental Chronicle, we’ll keep tracking how dentistry continues to grow beyond the crisis—because oral health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of the world we live in. And that world has changed for good.

Sources:

• American Dental Association (ADA)

• Journal of Dental Research

• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

• Interviews with practicing dentists and hygienists