The COVID-19 pandemic has changed countless aspects about our daily lives. Many of us have had to adjust to working from home, while essential workers like grocery store cashiers and nurses put their lives on the line every day. Dentists are no exception to all of these cultural changes. These days, they must take numerous extra precautions to ensure their patients’ safety. Keep reading to learn some of the ways your dentist in East Longmeadow & Northampton prepares for your appointment to make it as comfortable and safe as possible.
Removing Clutter from Reception Area
In the past, you would have thumbed through a magazine or watched as your children played with toys while waiting for your appointment. That’s not the case anymore. Research has discovered that items like these can quickly become breeding grounds for all kinds of germs, including the ones that cause COVID-19. For this reason, your dental team has removed these things from the waiting room. It might make your time in the office a little less exciting, but it’s for your own safety.
Wearing Increased PPE
Before COVID-19 struck, all your dentist had to do to get ready for your appointment was wash their hands and put on a fresh mask and clean pair of gloves. These days, that’s not quite enough to completely minimize the risk of germ transmission. In addition to their usual personal protective equipment (PPE), your dentist and their clinical team members will wear extra gear such as shoe coverings, hair caps, disposable surgical gowns, and face shields. The increased PPE protects both them and you from infection.
Installing Plexiglass Shields on Front Desks
The desks in the reception area have been retrofitted with plexiglass shields to protect patients as well as the office staff from potential germ exposure. Recent studies have suggested that the coronavirus can be spread through simply talking and exhaling, especially at close distances like those between you and the front desk staff. Any germs that escape your mouth will be caught on the shield instead of in the team member’s face. The shields are cleaned at regular intervals.
Using Extraoral Devices
When certain dental instruments are used, particles called dental aerosols may be produced. Dental aerosols might contain saliva, blood, or any germs that may be in your mouth. These particles can float in the air for several minutes before falling to the floor. During this time, they could infect the members of your dental team as well as patients who sit in the dental chair after you. To combat this, your dentist uses an extraoral device, which absorbs the majority of dental aerosols, protecting the team, you, and subsequent patients from the risk of infection.
Your health and safety are your dentist’s top priorities, which is why they take great care to follow strict dental safety protocol in East Longmeadow & Northampton. Rest assured that you should be well-protected from infection when you’re under their care.
About the Practice
At EMA Dental, our main concern is the health and safety of our patients. Our team of dentists each brings their own unique skills to the table, and we strive to become your “one-stop shop” for all of your dental needs. We also adhere to the guidelines set by the CDC and ADA to make our offices as clean as can be. Whether you visit our East Longmeadow or Northampton location, you’ll be in good hands. To learn more about how you can get the dental care you need without any worries of infection, visit our website.