Before COVID-19 posed a threat, your dental team had a fairly simple procedure for preparing to treat you. They would thoroughly wash their hands, don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensure that they had sterile instruments available. Now, however, things have changed. Additional measures are necessary to promote the health and safety of both you and your dental team. In this blog post, we will discuss a portion of the dental safety protocol in Auburn that is being used to protect you during your appointments.
Champions for Safety
Everyone who works in your dental office has made it their business to become familiar with guidelines for maintaining a safe environment. For example, they have studied regulations from the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local dental organizations. They strive to apply even the smallest applicable rules, even if those rules might seem insignificant. They offer each other friendly reminders about how to remain compliant with necessary guidelines, and they educate patients on how they can contribute to a safe dental office environment.
Daily Health Checks
Your dental team wants to do everything in their power to keep you safe and healthy, so they would never work if they even suspected that they had COVID-19. That is why they submit to a health screening every day before they begin work. The screening includes a quick questionnaire and a contactless temperature check. Patients are asked to undergo a similar health check prior to their appointments.
Changing Clothes at Work
Before the outbreak of COVID-19, you might have seen members of your dental team wearing their scrubs as they ran errands around town. Now, you are much less likely to see that. In order to reduce the risk that contaminants from garments could transfer to patients, your dental team drives to work in their regular clothes. They change into freshly cleaned scrubs when they arrive at the office.
Thorough Cleaning
Dental offices have always been some of the cleanest places in the community. That is now truer than ever. The staff in the practice frequently cleans and disinfects all high-touch surfaces, including countertops, reception chairs, door handles, and more. They also take time between patients to thoroughly clean the operatories and may perform a deep cleaning of the office every evening after closing.
Your dental team is committed to promoting, not just the oral health of patients, but also their overall health. You can attend your next appointment with confidence that you are entering an environment that is as safe as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Gerry Schneider is a dentist in Auburn who has been helping patients achieve improved oral health for nearly 40 years. She is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She and her colleagues at Willow Run Dental Association are committed to doing everything in their power to protect patients from COVID-19. If you would like to learn more about the safety protocols in our office, contact us at 207-783-0261.