Your dental team has always taken your health and safety very seriously. That is why they have made it their habit to adhere to the strictest guidelines regarding infection control and disease prevention. However, those guidelines were somewhat simpler prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. Now, more caution than ever before is necessary to ensure that you can attend your appointments with confidence. In this article, we will discuss just a portion of the dental safety protocol in Woodbridge that is in place to protect you.
Safety Champions
The American Dental Association and other reputable organizations give dentists guidelines on how to maintain a healthful environment. Your dental team is determined to adhere to all of their applicable recommendations, right down to the smallest detail. As safety champions, they offer each other friendly reminders on how they can maintain the highest standards of safety and cleanliness. They also help patients do their part in contributing to a safe environment. For example, you may be required to wear a facial covering while you are in the office and not receiving treatment.
Daily Health Checks
Everyone should keep a close eye on their own health during a pandemic. Your dental team understands that, so they willingly submit to a health screening, which includes a temperature check and a questionnaire, every day before they begin work. If the screening reveals that a team member may have been exposed to COVID-19, they will not work. Patients must undergo a similar screening before every appointment.
Changing Work Clothes at Work
Before the outbreak of COVID-19, you might have sometimes seen members of your dental team wearing their scrubs while they were at the grocery store, post office, or other places around town. Now, you are unlikely to see that. Dental professionals travel to work in their normal clothes. When they arrive at the office, they change into freshly cleaned scrubs. This safety practice minimizes the risk that contagions will transfer to patients from a team member’s clothing.
The Highest Standards of Cleanliness
Most dental offices have a proud history of being among the cleanest places in their community. Now, their commitment to cleanliness is greater than ever. They disinfect all door handles, reception chairs, and countertops — as well as other surfaces — at least three times a day. They clean the operatories between each patient, and they clean the office every evening after closing.
This brief article has discussed just a few of the steps that your dental team is taking to protect you. If you have questions about what else they are doing, they would be happy to talk to you about their safety protocols.
About New Haven Dental Group
New Haven Dental Group is proud to have four conveniently located offices in our county. Our dentists in Woodbridge and their team members are proud to be safeguarding both the oral and overall health of patients during these uncertain times. To learn more about us or our health and safety practices, contact us at 203-389-7080.