COVID-19 has forced many to do without services they had previously taken for granted. Besides shaggy hair and unkempt nails, some have been neglecting their teeth.

Nicole Kielly, the owner of the Dental Hygiene Studio in Logy Bay, says much like all businesses, the health measures for their industry have changed.

Their dental hygienists now wear full gowns that they can change in between each client. They’ve been told to limit the amount of aerosols they produce. For example, when someone comes in for a cleaning, they aren’t using tools like the ultrasonic scaler—which sprays air and vibrates to clean teeth.

Polishes are not being offered at this time, and Kielly states that all such measures are in place across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Kielly says a big challenge has been sourcing PPE. Her preferred brand of gloves went from $16 a box to $100 a box. Masks are also frequently on back order, and she worries that could eventually slow them down.