Every morning, Dr. James Galati meets with his staff to review what the day has in store for them. It takes about 10 minutes before the break and begin to usher in patients.

“We like to stay on time. We pride ourselves on staying on time,” Galati said.

For 20 years, he has had his own practice in Clifton Park. Like many, it’s been a challenging year and a half for him. The goal has been to make the clients feel comfortable to come back with several safety protocols in place and a fully vaccinated staff.

“The dental office is a very safe environment to provide and receive dental care,” Galati said.

It’s one of the questions patients are asking when they call his office these days.

Last month, vaccination mandates for all health care workers across the state went into effect. However, that did not apply to any private practice settings, like physicians’ and dentists’ offices.

“You know, when it first came out, I think the masses truly didn’t understand what the mandate said,” said Dr. Kevin Henner, president of the New York State Dental Association.

He says the mandate only extended to dentists who work in a health care facility settings like a hospital. Henner says they’re not calling for a mandate, but are encouraging dental professionals to get vaccinated.

“You really want to take care of your office and do what is right for your office, and that’s where it all comes back to the professional judgement of the practitioner to evaluate the scenario in their own office,” Henner said.

He doesn’t forecast that changing at all. Henner says it’s important to always have that communication with patients, whether it be about dental work or the vaccine.

Galati says he will continue to have strict protocols in place. He says it does put patients who ask at ease to learn their vaccination status.

“I personally think it’s the right thing to do, and luckily, all of my staff kind of agrees with that,” Galati said.

This story has been edited to correct attribution.