Before the outbreak of COVID-19, your local dental team had a fairly simple protocol for preparing to see you. They would thoroughly wash their hands, put on fresh gloves and a new mask, and ensure that they were using sterile equipment. Now, though, times have changed. A heightened level of caution is necessary. In this article, we discuss a few steps that your dental team is taking to keep you safe and healthy during this time of COVID-19.
Safety Champion
Your entire dental team is committed to your health and safety. However, it is beneficial to have one team member appointed each day to ensure that everyone is adhering to safety protocols. This person can remind fellow team members of the importance of following every little rule and recommendation by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control. They might also encourage patients to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and sanitize their hands before they enter the treatment area.
Daily Health Checks
Your dental team enjoys seeing you, but they would never knowingly endanger you by working while they are experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms. That is why they willingly submit to a simple health screening every day before they begin work. The screening involves a contactless temperature check and a few questions that evaluate whether they are exhibiting any signs of illness.
Changing Clothes at Work
Before COVID-19 broke out, you might have occasionally seen members of your dental team wearing their scrubs at the grocery store, post office, or coffee shop. Now, however, you will not see that. Your dental staff travels to work in their normal clothes, then gets changed into freshly cleaned scrubs. After they finish working, they change back into their regular clothes before they head home. This practice ensures that any contagions that could be lingering on their everyday will not get transferred to patients.
Additional Precautions
The above sections touch on just a few of the things your dental team is doing to protect you. Additional precautions that they may be taking include:
- Wearing extra personal protective equipment, including double-layered masks and face shields
- Sanitizing treatment rooms between each patient
- Performing a deeper cleaning of the office every evening after closing
- Rearranging the furniture in the waiting room to promote social distancing
- Conducting regular staff meetings to make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to safety and sanitation
Would you like to learn even more about how your dental team is helping to fight the spread of COVID-19? Give them a call or send them an email; they will be happy to answer all of your questions.