COVID-19 infection outbreaks are still popping up in different parts of the country as we enter the 2020 holiday season. It’s clear the pandemic is still affecting our sense of everyday normal, but we wanted to take this month to talk about some of the ways dental care has been consistently delivered safely by dental practices during these strange times. A recent article on Healthline describes one of the primary reasons for this is because dentists are trained experts in infectious disease control.
In this post, we’ll describe some of the ways many dental practices across the country have tapped into their staff’s training and experience to create robust safety measures for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, and Dental Office Staff are Highly Trained in Disinfection
The professionals who make up the ranks of a working dental office are trained rigorously to maintain a dry, bacteria-free operating environment. Regular dental and cleaning exams are one of the most important tools you have in maintaining good oral health, so rest assured and keep your next appointment.
Dentists Have Implemented Additional Screening Measures
Most people who have had some type of healthcare appointment in the last 7 months have probably experienced some sort of screening procedure before checking in with the doctor. Many dental practices are taking temperatures at the door and asking patients screening questions to decrease the risk of exposure to coronavirus.
Dentists are Spacing Out Appointments to Minimize Contact Between Patients
One of the first measures our practice took to provide a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic was to stagger our appointments to adhere to social distancing protocols put out in CDC guidelines. Many dental practices are also removing items like magazines from their waiting rooms.
Some Dental Practices are Practicing More Tele-Dentistry
It’s been really interesting to see how people and businesses have adapted creatively to deliver their goods and services during the pandemic. People are resilient and tend to adapt to adverse conditions. One of the cool ways we’ve seen some practices adapt is using video conferencing for certain types of dental consultations.
Dental Practices are Using Specialized Equipment Procedures to Reduce Risk of Aerosol Transmission
Dental practices across the country are beefing up their treatment arsenals with specialized areas for performing aerosol-generating dental procedures. They’re also outfitting practices with high-tech air filtration systems and changing some x-ray approaches, such as using traditional digital x-ray systems instead of intraoral cameras to reduce risks of airborne transmission.
Thanks for Reading! Stay Safe!
Consistency is the key to great oral health. Don’t avoid regular dental care unless there’s a good reason. Dental problems can quickly get worse if left untreated, and dentists are implementing some of the most extraordinary measures to keep patients extra safe during these extraordinary times.
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