Dental Prep: What Your Dentist is Doing to Get Ready for Your Arrival

Are you worried about the idea of returning for a dentist’s appointment amid the COVID-19 crisis? Do you wonder how clean the office will be or how safe it is for you to have a regular dental checkup and cleaning? While this virus continues to be a threat, these questions and concerns are normal. Fortunately, your dentist in North Sarasota is taking all the necessary precautions to ensure your visit is safe and successful. How? Read on to better understand the preparation process your dental team is going through each day to provide a cleaner, virus-free environment for everyone.

Before the Patient Arrives: Steps Your Dentist is Taking

For dental offices to remain clean, safe, and run successfully, it takes a lot of hard work and effort. Throw in a highly contagious virus that is spreading rapidly throughout the world, and you will find that your dentist and team members are working overtime to ensure every crevice is sanitized and disinfected.

Even under normal circumstances, your dentist’s office is one of the cleanest places you can visit, but if you’re still a bit apprehensive about your upcoming appointment, spend a few minutes learning about a few of the many ways your dental team is going above and beyond to prepare for your visit:

Identifying a Different Safety Champion Each Day

A “Safety Champion” is a role often found in more industrial, manufacturing, and construction-based jobs; however, it can be easily applied to the dental office, and here’s how: By choosing a different member of the team each day to take on the role and responsibilities, they are not only making sure all guests are greeted, but they are also ensuring standards of cleanliness are being met. They’re also responsible for making sure all social distancing protocols are being followed.

Ensuring All Team Members Are Properly Trained

Because many of the protocols put forth by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), American Dental Association (ADA), and the Occupational Safety & Hazard Administration (OSHA) are new, dental teams will receive the necessary training to ensure everyone is aware of preventive methods to avoid the potential spread of COVID-19.

Daily Temperature Checks of Staff

Not only will you undergo a pre-screening process when arriving for your appointment, but your dentist is implementing daily temperature checks of all staff members when coming into work. This dental safety protocol in North Sarasota ensures everyone is healthy and symptom-free before being allowed to treat patients.

Changing into Work Clothes at the Office

To avoid the potential spread of bacteria and viruses, staff are instructed to change into their scrubs (work attire) when they arrive at work and change out before they leave to go home. Even though a disposable gown will be worn over personal clothing, this safety measure helps to avoid harmful pathogens from outside elements.

Requiring Everyone Perform an Anti-Microbial Rinse

Once you are in the dentist’s chair, you will be required to rinse your mouth with an anti-microbial mouthwash. This will help to reduce the bacterial and viral count that could easily spread to a staff member during a regular checkup or dental procedure.

Although these are just a few of the many new protocols your dentist is enacting in their dental office, it is a step in the right direction to keeping you as well as other patients safe from potential exposure.

About the Author
Dr. Warren Hoffman is a dentist in North Sarasota who attended dental school in Baltimore, Maryland and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He then went on to complete an externship during his senior year, providing dental services to stationed members of the United States Coast Guard in Honolulu, Hawaii. He and his team at Parkway Ridge Dental are taking every precaution to make sure your health and safety are top priorities. To learn what guidelines we are following to create a healthier environment for everyone, contact us at (941) 358-8830.