Before the outbreak of COVID-19, your dental team likely had a somewhat simple procedure for preparing for your appointments. They would thoroughly wash their hands, put on a clean mask and other personal protective equipment, and make sure their instruments were properly sterilized. Now, however, stricter measures are needed in order to protect both patients and dental team members. In this article, you will discover a few details about the dental safety protocol in Plymouth that is helping to keep you healthy during the current pandemic.
Champions for Safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Dental Association (ADA), and other reputable professional organizations give dentists guidelines on how to prevent the spread of disease. Your dental team understands such guidelines and applies them to the extent possible. They aim to adhere to all relevant rules right down to the last detail, and they give each other frequent reminders on how they can make safety a priority. They also keep patients informed about how they can contribute to a healthful and safe dental office environment.
Daily Health Checks
Your dental team loves their job, and they are always happy to see you. However, they would not work if they were aware that there was a chance they could cause you to become ill. Therefore, they submit to a health screening every day before they begin work. The screening involves a temperature check and a quick questionnaire that evaluates whether it is likely that they have been exposed to COVID-19. Patients must undergo a similar health screening prior to each of their appointments.
Changing Work Clothes at Work
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, you might have occasionally seen your dentist in Plymouth or members of their team wearing their scrubs while they were running around town. Now, you are very unlikely to see that. Dental professionals must travel to work in their regular clothes, then change into freshly cleaned scrubs after they arrive at the dental office. This practice minimizes the risk that contagions will transfer to patients from the clothing of a dental team member.
High Standards of Cleanliness
Due to the nature of dentistry, dental practices have always been some of the cleanest places in the community. That is as true now as it ever was. Your dental team has taken their cleaning routine to new levels. They disinfect all door handles, countertops, reception chairs, and other surfaces at least three times each day. They thoroughly clean the operatories between appointments, and they perform a deep cleaning of the office every evening after the last patient leaves.
This article has explained just a few of the steps that your dental team is taking to enable them to care for your oral health while they keep an eye on your overall wellness. You can visit your dentist with confidence that they are doing everything in their power to protect you from COVID-19.
About the Author
Dr. Steve Aveni has been practicing dentistry for more than 40 years. He has completed advanced training in many areas of his profession, including restorative care, sleep apnea therapy, and more. He and his team are wholly devoted to promoting patients’ overall wellness and are committed to maintaining strict anti-COVID-19 measures. If you would like to learn more about how our practice is working to keep you healthy and safe, contact us at 508-746-1918.