Are Dentists Essential Workers? Understanding Their Critical Role in Healthcare

Summary:

Dentists don’t just help you keep your teeth clean. They play a big part in keeping you and your community healthy—even in hard times like the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explains why dentists are called essential workers, shares stories of dental helpers during tough times, and helps you see how your mouth’s health connects to your whole body. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s safe to go to the dentist in an emergency or why dental care matters, keep reading. You’ll learn why dentists should always be there when you need them.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: What Makes Someone an Essential Worker?

Picture this: It’s a stormy night and the lights go out. Who helps? An electrician. Now, if you wake up with the worst toothache that makes you want to cry, who do you call? Your dentist.

An essential worker is someone whose job is so needed, they have to work even when most places are closed during emergencies. This includes doctors, nurses, and yes—dentists.

I remember when my neighbor, Mrs. Clark, broke her tooth late at night. Only her dentist could get her out of pain. That’s the kind of job that can’t wait!

Dentists are on the official U.S. list of important workers. Groups like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) support this, making sure dental offices stay part of “critical infrastructure.”[1][2]

2. Why Does Dental Care Matter So Much?

Let’s get real: your mouth isn’t just for eating. Did you know having gum problems can make heart disease and diabetes worse?[3] Dentists check your mouth for problems, but they also see clues about the rest of your body.

Fun fact—sometimes, a dentist is the first person to notice signs of diabetes or even cancer. They look for strange bumps, sores, or signs of infection, protecting a lot more than just your teeth.

If dentists were suddenly gone, we’d be in trouble! Small toothaches would turn into big, painful infections. Kids and adults might end up in the hospital just because they couldn’t get regular check-ups.

Problem:

Not seeing the dentist can cause bigger problems—pain, infection, and other health troubles.

Agitate:

Imagine nobody could get a sore tooth fixed or a cavity filled. Pain would spread around. Hospitals could get too busy with people who only need a dentist.

Solution:

Dentists are there to stop these troubles before they start. A cleaning today saves you from a big problem tomorrow.

3. Are Dentists Always Classified as Essential Workers?

Yes, most times, dentists are seen as essential workers—especially in emergencies like COVID-19. When cities and states told people to stay home, dental offices often were allowed to stay open, at least for emergencies.[4] This meant people didn’t have to suffer or go to the hospital for a sore tooth.

Even big groups like the American Dental Association (ADA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed that emergency dental help should never stop. Regular check-ups might pause for a bit, but helping with pain and infection was always “essential.”[5]

Still, every state sometimes made its own rules. While one state might say “all dental services are essential,” another might say only “emergency visits.”

Dental care was always high on the list of important healthcare jobs. Without dentists, the rest of the healthcare system doesn’t work as well.

4. What Happens When You Can’t See a Dentist?

Have you ever had a toothache that just won’t stop? Sometimes, when you can’t see a dentist, something small can grow into something big and scary.

Studies in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) found that when dental offices closed during COVID, more people went straight to emergency rooms for tooth problems.[6] This made hospitals busier—and sometimes, people waited longer than they should.

Problem:

Closing dental offices causes pain for people and adds extra work to hospitals. Simple tooth troubles, without care, can turn into serious dangers.

Agitate:

Think about someone’s grandparent with a broken tooth and swelling. If there’s no dentist on hand, things could get worse—fast.

Solution:

By making dentists and their teams essential workers, we make sure they can help when you need them most.

5. Who Decides If Dentists Are Essential?

The U.S. government has a list called the “Critical Infrastructure Workers List.” You’ll find dentists, dental hygienists, assistants, and dental labs on it. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the CDC help make these decisions.[1][7]

Groups like the American Dental Association (ADA) speak up for dentists too, reminding government leaders that dental care is important.

Each state’s health department decides just what “essential” means for dental care where you live. During COVID-19, most states agreed: if you have a dental emergency, your dentist is needed.

Tables like the one below show where dental care fits in:

Approved by Dr. Joe Dental, D.M.D.

6. What Other Dental Workers Are Essential?

It’s not just dentists! Lots of people work together to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

• Dental hygienists help stop gum disease by cleaning teeth and teaching brushing tips.
• Dental assistants make sure each dental visit is safe and easy.
• Lab technicians in places like a digital dental lab build crowns, bridges, or dentures so dentists can help you chew and smile.

Even dental specialists—like orthodontists, gum doctors, and oral surgeons—are important for helping with serious mouth and health problems.

Without dental teams, dentists couldn’t do their jobs. Everyone in the clinic and even workers in a dental ceramics lab are part of the team.

7. How Did COVID-19 Change Dentists’ Essential Status?

When COVID-19 hit, many dental offices stopped doing regular checkups to help save masks and gloves and slow the virus. Only emergency appointments, like those for pain or swelling, continued.[4]

But not doing checkups couldn’t last forever. The ADA and CDC made new rules for safety. Dentists started using more face covers, gowns, and cleaning. With these changes, dentists soon got back to seeing all their patients—not just emergencies.

Some people were scared to go back to the dentist. But it was clear: avoiding bigger troubles, like infections or missing teeth, meant dentists should be open and ready. The government made their jobs essential, and dentists were among the first to get the COVID vaccine.

8. What Made Dentists “Frontline” Workers in the Pandemic?

Imagine wearing a mask, a face shield, and a gown every day while working face to face with people. That’s what dentists and their helpers did during the pandemic!

Dental offices boosted safety with:

• Special cleaning sprays
• Machines to clean air
• Extra hand-washing and gloves

Dental work is close up and can make sprays in the air that can carry germs, so it’s risky.

Dental teams became “frontline” workers taking on tough work every day. Like nurses and doctors, they showed bravery and care.

The pandemic made sure dental pros got the vaccine early, so they could help patients and stay safe too.[8]

9. How Do Dentists Keep Patients Safe?

Being safe is the most important thing in dental offices. Even before COVID-19, dental clinics followed strict cleaning—wearing masks and gloves, cleaning tools, and using disinfectants.

When a crisis hits—like a pandemic—dentists do even more. Some offices add:

• Air cleaners and special filters
• Spacing out people in the waiting room
• More time between patients to clean up

If you’re worried about visiting your dentist, remember that clinics follow advice from the ADA, CDC, and state health boards. They really want to keep you and their staff healthy.

Dental labs, like a top china dental lab or a removable denture lab, also follow strong safety steps to make sure every crown, bridge, or false tooth you get is clean and safe.

10. How Can Modern Dental Labs Support Essential Care?

Behind every healthy smile stands a group of dental lab workers. These team members don’t just make your teeth look better—they make important devices for people with tough dental needs.

A crown and bridge lab makes the crowns that help fix broken teeth and the bridges that help people chew. Labs that make dentures help people eat and smile again.

During the pandemic, digital dental labs even used 3D printers to quickly make needed dental things. Thanks to teamwork and new tech, dental care stayed strong—even when times were hard.

11. Conclusion: Why Dental Teams Matter, Pandemic or Not

When you think of “essential workers,” maybe you picture doctors, firefighters, or delivery people. But you should think of your dentist and their helpers too!

Dentists, hygienists, assistants, and lab workers keep us healthy by fixing pain, stopping disease, and sometimes saving lives. They are there for us whether things are easy or tough, making sure you can smile for life.

Because of good cleaning and training, you can trust that dental offices are safe—even when things are hard. Their work takes pressure off hospitals, saves lives, and keeps communities well.

So next time you visit the dentist, give your team a real “thank you.” They are everyday heroes keeping us all well.

12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I visit my dentist during a lockdown?

A: Most of the time, yes, especially if you have pain, an infection, or an emergency. Routine visits might stop for a short time. Your dentist will tell you what you can do.

Q: Are dental cleanings essential or just emergencies?

A: Emergency care is always a must. Cleanings became essential again as clinics got safer. Cleanings help stop small problems from getting bigger.

Q: Who else is essential in the dental world?

A: Dental hygienists, assistants, specialists, and lab workers are all needed. Without them, you couldn’t get regular dental care.

Q: Is it safe to visit my dentist during a health crisis?

A: Yes! Dental offices follow strong cleaning rules and infection control. Ask your dentist about what they do for safety if you want to know more.

Q: What happens if I skip the dentist for a long time?

A: Skipping dental visits can lead to cavities, gum trouble, pain, and even more serious health problems. See your dentist as often as you should.

13. Key Takeaways

• Dentists and their teams are essential workers—there for you when you need help most
• Good dental care keeps your whole body healthy, not just your mouth
• During hard times like COVID-19, dental pros used new ways to protect patients and staff
• Leaders in every state and country agree—dental care is a key part of keeping us all safe and strong
• Dental hygienists, assistants, and lab experts are just as important as dentists in keeping you healthy
• If you ever have pain or dental trouble, don’t wait—your dental team is essential for a reason!

References:

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

[2] U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

[3] American Heart Association; American Dental Association

[4] American Dental Association (ADA): COVID-19 Guidelines

[5] World Health Organization (WHO)

[6] Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA)

[7] State Health Boards and official rules

[8] National Association of Dental Boards (NADAB)

Reviewed by: Dr. Joe Dental, D.M.D.