Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, your dental team had a relatively simple procedure for preparing to see you. They would thoroughly wash their hands, don fresh personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensure they were using sterile instruments. Now, however, they have adopted a new dental safety protocol in Enfield. Recently instituted procedures are designed to protect both patients and dental staff members during this pandemic season. In this article, you will learn a few specifics of how your dental team prepares for your appointments with your safety and health in mind.
Champions for Safety
The American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other reputable organizations provide guidelines on how to prevent the spread of illness. Your dental team has familiarized themselves with all such guidelines and are determined to apply them to the extent possible. They aim to stick to even the smallest rules, and they offer each other friendly reminders on how they can make safety a top priority. They also help patients do their part in making sure the dental office is a healthful environment.
Daily Health Checks
Your dental team is always happy to see you, but they would never work if they knew there was even a small chance that they could cause you to become ill. That is why they undergo a health screening every day before they begin work. The screening includes a contactless temperature check and a questionnaire that assesses whether it is likely that they have been exposed to COVID-19. Patients must undergo a similar health check before each appointment.
Changing Work Clothes at Work
In the past, you might have seen members of your dental team wearing their scrubs when they were running errands around town. Now, however, you are much less likely to see that. Dental professionals travel to work in their regular clothes. Then, they change into freshly cleaned scrubs when they arrive at the office. This practice minimizes the chance that contagions will transfer to patients from a team member’s garments.
High Standards of Cleanliness
Dental offices have always been some of the cleanest places in the community. That is truer now than ever as your dental team steps up their cleaning routine to promote a safe environment. They disinfect all reception chairs, countertops, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces at least three times each day. They thoroughly clean the operatories between patients, and they perform a deep cleaning of the office each evening after closing.
This article has touched on just a few of the things that your dental team is doing to keep you healthy. You can attend your next appointment with confidence that you are entering a safe environment.
About the Author
Drs. Venu Chimmiri and Elias Deros are dentists in Enfield at Four Town Dental. They have decades of combined experience, and they are proud to offer a broad range of services. They have always been committed to patient health and safety, and that commitment is now stronger than ever. If you have questions about our practice’s anti-COVID-19 measures, or you would like to learn more about how we can help you protect your oral health, contact us at 860-749-6088.