Your dental team wants you to feel like family. There’s nothing they want more than to greet you with a smile and a hug while you catch up with each other. During the COVID-19 pandemic, handshakes and hugs are unfortunately off-limits. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t give each other a warm greeting. Your dentist in Merrimack has some ideas about how you can give each other a fun hello without putting your health at risk.
It’s Not All About the Hands
There are many ways to say hello without involving hugs or hand-to-hand contact. Cultures all over the world are changing their greeting habits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Things like cheek-kisses, handshakes, and high-fives are being replaced by forms of salutation that involve contact with other parts of the body or no contact at all. Some of the most common forms are:
- Elbow Bumps: In lieu of a handshake, many people are opting for a simple elbow bump. It has the same person-to-person contact as a handshake without the risk of transferring germs from hand to hand.
- Waving: This one is a no-brainer. Waving communicates your friendly intent without requiring any physical contact.
- Namaste: The traditional Indian greeting of placing both hands together with a slight bow communicates respect and warm wishes.
- Air-Fives: Feigning a high-five from afar communicates the same sentiment as a normal one. Plus, it helps you to avoid the awkwardness of accidentally missing.
- Coronavirus Curtsy: If you’re feeling a little cheeky, a curtsy or a tip of the hat can add some old-fashioned pizzazz to your greeting.
- Finger Guns & Jazz Hands: You can ham up your hello with the traditionally awkward finger guns and jazz hands gestures for some added levity.
There are many ways to greet your dental team without making direct contact. During the pandemic, it’s important to take every precaution to stay healthy. Your safety is your dental team’s number one priority. Practice social distancing, wash your hands often, and you’ll be hugging and handshaking again before you know it.
About the Author
Dr. Sajini Shetty wants the absolute best for her patients. She considers each of her patients to be a member of her dental family and takes pride in being able to transform lives and smiles with her dentistry. A graduate of the dental program at Boston University, she has committed herself to continuing her education so that she can stay at the cutting edge of dentistry. She completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry from the New Jersey Dental School and has received additional training from renowned dental institutions like the Las Vegas Institute and the Spear Education Consortium. If you’d like to learn more about how she and her team at Dental Designs of New England are helping to keep patients safe, they would love to talk with you. You can give the office a call at (603) 769-4327 or shoot them an email.
