Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many aspects of your life have changed. Things like weddings and graduations have been put on hold. You’ve been encouraged to wear a face covering for public outings. You’ve even had to avoid seeing friends and family who are at higher risk of developing life-threatening symptoms if they contract the virus. It has been extremely difficult for many people. Fortunately, having your regular dental visit won’t be a challenge. Your dentist in Friendship Heights can tell you exactly what to expect for your next visit.
What Happens Before My Appointment?
There are many steps being taken before your appointment to ensure the safety of you and the dental staff. Here are just a few:
Pre-Screening of Patients
Your dental office will likely give you a call before your scheduled appointment. They will ask you questions about your general health or any concerning symptoms you may have.
No-Touch Temperature Check
When you arrive at the office, you may have your temperature taken by one of the dental staff using a no-touch thermometer. This confirms that you do not have a fever that you are unaware of.
Sequenced Patient Scheduling
Dental offices are spacing out appointments to avoid unnecessary contact between patients. This greatly reduces the chance of spreading the virus.
What Can I Expect During My Appointment?
The dental staff at the office has already taken a lot of precautionary measures so you can be cared for in a clean environment. Now, additional protocols are being implemented during your appointment to maintain safe conditions. Some of them include:
Face Coverings
Depending on your state or city, you may be required to wear a face covering during public outings. If you live in one of these places, the dental office is no different. By wearing a face covering, you are decreasing the likelihood of spreading the virus to a staff member or another patient.
No Magazines
Items like books, magazines, and children’s toys have been removed from the waiting room in the dental office. Because there are so many people touching these items on a regular basis, leaving them out could increase the spread of the Coronavirus.
Hand Sanitizer
Personal hygiene products, like hand sanitizer, will be available to you when you arrive to the office.
Additional Protective Equipment
You may notice that your dentist is wearing more protective equipment than before. This may include eye protection, different masks, gowns, or face shields. These extra precautions help to keep your dentist safe from possible infection. When your dentist is protected, so are you!
How Do the Staff Prepare for The Next Patient?
After you leave, the dental staff will thoroughly clean the areas that you’ve been using disinfectants that are effective against the virus that causes COVID-19. This reduces the likelihood of illnesses being passed to other patients.
Your dental staff cares about keeping you and your family safe during these uncertain times. One thing that you can be certain about is that your oral health does not need to be neglected. Talk to your dentist about any questions or concerns you may have about new safety protocols.
About the Author
At Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of Washington, Dr. Yelena Obholz offers a variety of services to treat patients of all ages. After receiving her DDS degree, she has gone to complete many continuing education courses at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. She is taking multiple new precautionary protocols to ensure the safety of you and your family during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the steps being taken to limit the spread of the virus, visit her website or call (202) 364-8209.