The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every single aspect of life, including dentistry, but with dental offices reopening, people have many anxieties about the transmission of the virus. Fortunately, there are many measures being implemented into dental practices to ensure the health and safety of patients and the dental team.
Below is an overview of what to expect as dental offices begin to reopen. This information can be especially helpful for individuals preparing for an upcoming visit to the dentist, whether it be for a cleaning, examination, or a specific procedure, such as dental fillings or crowns.
PPE stands for personal protective equipment, and it is an essential part of dental offices reopening. Patients should expect the entire dental staff to be wearing PPE, which includes a mask or facial cover. Additional PPE may include a gown, gloves, facial shield, head covering and eyeglasses. PPE is used to protect the dental team but also the patient. Aside from the dental team's PPE, patients visiting the dentist should expect to wear a face mask or covering when entering and leaving the office. Masks are required to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.
Another thing to expect with dental offices reopening is extra disinfecting and sanitizing cleaning measures. Cleaning is essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for dental offices reopening. Every surface of the dental office will be sprayed and wiped down using a disinfectant and sanitizing product. Surfaces include countertops, door handles, bathrooms, waiting chairs and tables. All dental tools and instruments will also be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected. After each patient undergoes their appointment, the dental team will also clean the chair.
Dental offices are doing everything in their power to keep patients and their staff protected and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. One way that they are doing this is by limiting capacity in each practice, which results in fewer available appointments. Individuals considering a visit to the dentist's office should be prepared to have to wait for a bit to undergo an appointment unless it is urgent or emergent.
Dental offices reopening also does not necessarily mean that things are back to normal. In particular, many practices are requiring that patients wait in their cars instead of the traditional way in the waiting room. Waiting in the car ensures social distancing, which can be extremely helpful in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Visiting the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic can be scary, but rest assured there are precautionary measures to protect patients. To find out more about what to expect from dental offices reopening, it is best to consult directly with the dentist. Questions and concerns can be addressed, and an appointment can be scheduled. Reach out today!
Request an appointment here: https://dentalcareofmadison.com or call Dental Care of Madison at (601) 898-9390 for an appointment in our Madison office.
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