Did you know that dental offices have always been some of the cleanest environments in the country thanks to their strict sanitation protocols? To keep their patients and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, these intense standards have gotten even higher. Dentists are taking extreme measures to ensure you can stay safe while getting the emergency dental care you may need after weeks in quarantine. Here are five ways your Inwood Village dentist is keeping their practice germ-free to protect your health if you need to come in for treatment.
1.) Excellent Hand Hygiene
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs of all kinds is to practice regular hand washing. Just like any other medical practice, and especially since dental work requires close proximity between a patient’s mouth and their dentist’s hands, dental professionals have always washed their hands excessively. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, your dentist was washing their hands before and after treating every patient as well as before putting on gloves and directly after removing them.
2.) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment includes items like masks, gloves, eyewear, and lab coats. You’ve probably seen your dentist wearing most if not all of these items at some point during your regular appointments. This equipment is designed to protect the wearer’s nose, eyes, mouth, and skin from infectious particles. To prevent the spread of germs, these objects are regularly disposed of or sanitized.
3.) Cough Etiquette & Respiratory Health
A variety of measures are taken to remind patients and staff alike to practice proper cough etiquette and infection control practices while in the office. For example, most offices will have easily seen and accessible facial tissues, no-touch trash receptacles, and hand sanitizer. Additionally, there may also be signs, posters, or pamphlets reminding readers to cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing.
4.) Sterilized Dental Instruments & Devices
To prevent any chance of cross-contamination, many dental devices are single-use. They come in sealed, sterile packaging, and then are thrown away after coming in contact with a patient. To clean instruments that are not disposable, dental staff have taken specialized training on how to properly sanitize them. They may use high-heat, powerful disinfectants, and other means to thoroughly sterilize and fully eliminate any lingering particles.
5.) Clean & Disinfected Environment
Every surface of a dentist’s examination room has been thoroughly cleaned before you enter it. Hospital-strength disinfecting products have been used to sanitize the countertops, knobs, switches, doorknobs, and dental light. The examination chair is typically covered in a protective cover that is replaced between every patient as well.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, your Inwood Village dentist has been practicing extensive infection control and sterilization protocols. If you need to visit them for emergency dental care, you can feel confident that you’re walking into an exceptionally clean, safe, and germ-free environment.