“It is horrific,” said Donald LeClair, DMD, of Beverly, Mass.-based LeClair Dental. “All dentists are facing extraordinary cost increases.”
Dr. LeClair has developed an $8,000 device that patients hold below their chin to minimize aerosol development during the appointment. He said N95 masks are in low supply and cost $5 each, while disposable gowns cost anywhere from $5 to $10 each. He also purchased a new washer and dryer for $2,000 to sanitize reusable gowns.
“Just in terms of hard equipment, this office has spent $10,000 in gearing up to make sure that we are doing everything possible to minimize the spread,” Dr. LeClair said.
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