I think in situations like this is as a result of mixed messages we got early on .... people said this summer IF vaccinated you can go mask less so just about everyone did cause who was checking NO ONE .... Another version of the HONOR system that in this day and age simply does not work.
If a person wants to wear a mask even when others quit so be it but i think the dentist office should recognize some like yourself may not be comfortable and try to wear masks around those patients etc.
Below is a link i find a statement on this ...... First we were told masks would not make a difference and we needed to SAVE the N95 and surgical masks for medical staff...
In came everyone and their brother making CLOTH masks this was more comfortable perhaps not as difficult to breathe through etc.
Last week or so a DOCTOR on a TV interview said that cloth masks are simply face decorations and not really doing anything........ some tried to "cancel" him or debate his assessment now a week later the following article saying the SAME thing he got called out for.
Now they can blame on new variant or what ever they chose. IMO this is simply deflecting that cloth masks or other items the experts have let pass may NEVER have been a good idea and more of a placebo then science.
A better guess i suppose is many companies turned to making masks and those who bought or made their own cloth are not consuming the disposable ones to pay off those who jumped into business making them.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/why-health-experts-recommend-retiring-024139688.html
In my area they passed an emergency use plan and some alcohol producers made hand sanitizer..... now they MUST get rid of all supply before emergency order is up even if they end up throwing truckloads in a landfill.....
this was all people trying to gain a buck from this whole fiasco.