{"id":670,"date":"2020-05-21T13:32:18","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T13:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/?p=670"},"modified":"2020-05-21T13:32:18","modified_gmt":"2020-05-21T13:32:18","slug":"how-dental-practices-stay-safe-and-clean-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/how-dental-practices-stay-safe-and-clean-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dental Practices Stay Safe and Clean During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AdobeStock_332347092__1590067908_75524-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"smiling dental team member wearing personal protective equipment\" class=\"wp-image-671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AdobeStock_332347092__1590067908_75524-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AdobeStock_332347092__1590067908_75524-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/AdobeStock_332347092__1590067908_75524.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Although COVID-19 restrictions are gradually being lifted, it is still important to be cautious and maintain social distancing. However, you should not let worries about the current pandemic hold you back from receiving necessary dental treatment. In fact, dental offices have always been some of the cleanest places in the country \u2014 and now they are taking more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/covid-19-safety-protocol.html\">precautions<\/a> than ever before to ensure patient and team member safety. In this article, we\u2019ll discuss some of the specific steps your dentist is taking to fight COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Protective Equipment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Personal protective equipment (PPE) creates barriers that stop harmful microorganisms from transferring from person to person. You may notice that your dental team is wearing masks all the time, not just when they are busy treating you. They may also wear face shields, protective hats and coats, and other protective gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strict Sterilization and Hygiene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To stop the spread of contagions, your dental team may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Follows CDC regulations for sterilizing dental instruments<\/li><li>Frequently cleans any areas that are often touched<\/li><li>Allows extra time between patients to clean the operatories<\/li><li>Frequently washes and sanitizes their hands<\/li><li>Performs a deep cleaning of the office every evening after closing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Social Distancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Minimizing contact with other people can be one of the biggest protections against the spread of disease. Some measures that many dental offices are taking to support social distancing include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Setting aside dedicated hours for senior or otherwise at-risk patients.<\/li><li>Establishing a virtual waiting room \u2014 check in for your appointment from your car, and when you enter the office, you\u2019ll be able to go straight to the treatment area.<\/li><li>Prohibiting handshakes and hugs. You may love your dental team, but these warm gestures of affection must be put on hold for the time being.<\/li><li>Removing some chairs from the waiting area. Fewer chairs allow the dental office staff to space out the remaining chairs.<\/li><li>Conducting some appointments remotely. It is often possible to conduct follow-up visits and consultations via secure teledentistry instead of having patients come into the office.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Patient\u2019s Role<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can help your dental team fight COVID-19 by complying with whatever reasonable requests they make of you. For example, they may not allow patients to wear gloves in the office in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. You might even be asked to undergo a quick health screening upon arrival for your appointment. Additionally, many dental offices have removed magazines and other activities from their waiting areas; please understand that removing these high-touch items makes the dental office a safer place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your dental team has always been deeply interested in both your oral and overall health. Now, they get to demonstrate how much they care by taking appropriate precautions to hinder the spread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Kristopher R. Harth earned his dental degree from the University of Florida. Since graduation, he has completed thousands of hours of continuing education. He is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry. He and the entire team at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry are committed to maintaining a safe and clean dental office. To learn more about us and how we are helping to fight COVID-19, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/contact-us.html\">contact us<\/a> at 904-285-7711.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although COVID-19 restrictions are gradually being lifted, it is still important to be cautious and maintain social distancing. However, you should not let worries about the current pandemic hold you back from receiving necessary dental treatment. In fact, dental offices have always been some of the cleanest places in the country \u2014 and now they [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Dental Practices Stay Safe and Clean During COVID-19<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about some of the strict precautions your local dental office may be taking to help protect patients and team members from COVID-19.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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