The COVID-19 pandemic has changed virtually everything about our lives. Grocery store trips are more carefully planned, contact with loved ones is filtered through a screen, and more work is being done remotely than ever before. Even your dentist in Merrimack has had to change so much about the way they perform their job. In the old days, it was enough to wash their hands and put on some fresh protective gear. Nowadays, though, your dentist takes several more precautions to ensure their patients’ safety. To learn more about how your dentist prepares for your visit these days, keep reading below.
Checking Team Members’ Health Daily
Every morning when your dental team arrives at the office, their temperature will be checked with a no-touch thermometer. They will also be asked a series of questions regarding their current health, such as whether they have any COVID-19 symptoms. If a team member’s health is not up to par, they will be promptly sent home to recover.
Pre-Screening Every Patient
In addition to evaluating the health of their staff members, all patients must also answer questions about their health. Before you enter the office, you’ll have to answer some quick questions and have your temperature taken to make sure you’ll well.
Changing Work Clothes at Work
Recent research has shown that changing into work clothes at home can bring outside germs into the office. To minimize this risk, your dentist and their staff will be changing into and out of their stylish scrubs at the office instead of at home.
Designating a Daily Safety Champion
Each day, a different member of your dentist’s team will be randomly selected as that day’s Safety Champion. This person will be in charge of various tasks around the office, such as answering questions, greeting patients, enforcing social distancing, and generally making sure everyone is following dental safety protocol.
Wearing Additional PPE
You might remember that in the old days, your dentist wore a face mask, gloves, and scrubs during your checkup. That isn’t quite enough these days to protect against infection. All the members of your dentist’s clinical team will be wearing more personal protective equipment (PPE) than they did before. Some examples of this additional PPE include face shields, surgical gowns, shoe coverings, and hair caps.
The coronavirus has changed so much about our daily lives, and your dentist in Merrimack is no exception. However, you can rest easy knowing that you can get the dental care you need, worry-free.
About the Author
Dr. Jini Shetty attended Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine for her dental doctorate. She then completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry from the New Jersey Dental School. With over two decades of experience in the dental field so far, she has helped countless patients achieve healthier smiles. Her practice follows the CDC’s recommended dental safety protocol to a tee in order to protect their patients. To learn more about these safety measures, visit her website or call (603) 769-4327.
