How to Greet Your Dental Team Without Making Contact

In the past, offering a handshake, giving a hug, or throwing up a high-five when around others felt like second nature. Now, COVID-19 is causing everyone to rethink the way they greet friends, family, and even their dentist in North Sarasota. Everything from a simple head nod to the increasingly popular elbow bump is replacing old methods for safer, contactless solutions. Read on to find out which methods are catching on and how these “hands-off” greetings can keep you safe.

Why Contactless Greetings Are Best

Like many dental offices throughout the country, rules and guidelines are being implemented to better protect both patients and staff. One of these is avoiding handshakes and hugs at this time. Why? Because COVID-19 remains a substantial threat, and it is far too easy for harmful bacteria and viruses to be transmitted from person-to-person.

Yes, additional steps are being taken to avoid contamination and possible transmission (i.e. dental staff wearing personal protective equipment, pre-screenings, daily temperature checks of staff, and even increased sanitation efforts), but this dental safety protocol in North Sarasota is one more way to maintain proper social distancing guidelines.

Which Contactless Greetings Are Acceptable?

If you’re wondering how to greet your dental team when you arrive, there are a few particular options that seem to be catching on quite quickly throughout the world. While some may feel more natural to you than others, as long as you keep 6 feet apart, any of these will do:

• Elbow Bump: Instead of going in for the handshake or hug, opt for an elbow bump. Celebrities and even members of the Royal Family are using this new and unique way to say “hello” when greeting others.
• Namaste Greeting: Used in many yoga classes as a peaceful and calming way to greet one another, this is performed when a person places the palms of their hands together with their fingers extended upward and brings them close to their chest. With a slight head nod, you can say an effective hello within a safe range.
• Air High-Five: If you receive a positive report from your dentist during your visit, you may be tempted to throw up a normal high-five. Instead, avoid making contact by opting for one that doesn’t require making contact. You can both still get the point across that you are doing a good job of keeping your oral health in good shape.

Although these greetings may not feel “normal” or “right,” they are working to keep individuals safe when visiting dentists, doctors, family, and friends. As we continue to combat COVID-19, let us work together to keep everyone better protected and virus-free.

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 added precautions to protect staff and patients, including no handshakes, hugs, or high-fives. As COVID-19 remains a threat, they are doing everything possible to minimize contamination and possible transmission of harmful bacteria and viruses. To find out more about what steps they’re taking to keep everyone safe, contact us at (941) 358-8830.