Is there a safe place to avoid getting the coronavirus?
The quick spread of the disease has caused governments to impose lockdown measures to keep everyone in their homes. So, apparently, our home is a safe place. If we don’t go out, it is less likely that we will contract the virus.
Technically, we are all exposed to the virus but keeping ourselves indoors lowers the risk of getting sick.
In the same way that dental practices closed their doors during this pandemic. They abided by the recommendation from the American Dental Association (ADA) to postpone elective procedures and to only accept emergency cases. This is supposed to control the further spread of the virus since dental offices are considered hot spots to transmit the disease.
The spread of COVID-19 has seen improvement over the past weeks. Some states reported lower incidences of virus transmission, that’s why local governments are now considering reopening businesses identified as “essential” in 3 phases.
The federal government has also provided criteria for states to use in decision making whether to make available elective health care. In the classification, dental practices are considered essential services. As this situation continually improves, we will see more dental practices re-opening.
To date, some dental practices in North Carolina have reopened and the others are following suit. Recommendations coming from ADA and the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners will serve as guides in providing patient care during the pandemic.
Aside from emergency care, dentists are gradually offering their usual dental services and treatments in accordance with safety measures of reducing the risk of the COVID-19 transmission.
The latest ADA interim guidance for dental practices is with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). With the lockdown lifted and dental practices re-opening, the use of PPE in practice should be strictly followed.
With dental practices opening their doors again during these uncertain times, they should follow the ADA Interim Guidance for Minimizing Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in providing dental care. Below are some of the precautionary and safety measures to be implemented for in-office care.
Dental practices should prepare their staff, resources and facility before re-opening. Their first priority is to ensure the health of the staff by screening them for COVID-19. Likewise, they should also screen their patients. Phone screening should be done prior to giving schedules to patients.
Offices should only allow a low volume of people in the office. As much as possible, no visitors shall be allowed, unless their presence is crucial for patient care. They should implement office protocols and make available signages to remind them about respiratory hygiene and physical distancing.
PPE stocks should be sufficient and ready for use. The dental facility should be regularly cleaned and disinfected, and tools should be sterilized before, during and after use.
Our staff and patient’s safety is our top priority. We will continue to abide by the CDC, ADA and our state board guidance as we gradually return to our normal operations.
Dr. Roy Jennings Dentistry in Monroe is now open to accommodate you once again for your dental needs. Our safety policies and procedures to conduct in-patient care are intact according to the above recommendations.
Stay tuned for updates on our website as we normalize our operations. Now that we are open, we can’t wait to see you in our office to give you the best dental care you deserve.
Contact us at 704-283-2998 or book your appointment today.
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