In the old days, all that your dentist in Spring Hill had to do to get ready for an appointment with a patient was wash their hands and then put on new gloves and a mask. These days, however, due to COVID-19, dentists must take much more serious and extensive precautions to ensure the health and safety of their patients. So, how exactly does your dentist make sure every patient is safe and protected from germs during these uncertain times? Keep reading to find out.
Having a Safety Champion
Every day, a different member of your dentist’s team will be that day’s designated Safety Champion. This person will be in charge of answering patients’ questions about safety protocols, making sure everyone is adhering to the CDC’s guidelines, enforcing social distancing throughout the office, etc.
Checking the Health of the Staff Daily
Each member of your dental team will have their temperature checked daily. In addition, they will all be required to answer questions about their recent health, including if they have developed any coronavirus-like symptoms. If so, or if their temperature was a little high, that team member will be sent home in order to keep everyone safe.
Changing Work Clothes at Work
In the past, you may have seen your dentist or hygienist at the store or at a restaurant wearing their scrubs. That is no longer the case. Recent research has suggested that wearing scrubs outside of the office can track germs into the office and thus into patients’ lives. For the foreseeable future, members of your dental team will only be changing into their work clothes once they have reached the office.
Wearing Additional PPE
A few months ago, your dentist may have just worn gloves and a mask to protect themselves from germs. Now, they should be wearing double masks, as well as additional PPE (personal protective equipment) such as shoe coverings and surgical gowns.
Having a Virtual Waiting Room
Waiting rooms are a place where it’s almost impossible to follow social distancing guidelines. As a result, your dentist has implemented a virtual waiting room. When you arrive at the dentist’s office, you’ll check in on your phone and simply wait in your car until the dentist is ready to see you.
As you can see, your dentist takes your health and safety incredibly seriously, and adheres to all of these practices and more in order to keep you as germ-free as possible. If you need a dental appointment but are hesitant to go, rest assured that you will be in good hands.
About the Author
Dr. Keith Chapman is a dentist in Spring Hill, TN who earned his doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Throughout his career, he has provided dental care to hundreds of underprivileged patients through Mercy Ships, which focuses on providing aid to developing countries. His practice follows all of the safety protocols described above and more in order to keep patients safe. To learn more about their COVID-19 precautions, visit Dr. Chapman’s website.