Emergency Dental Visit Infection Control Procedures to Protect You During The COVID- 19 Situation:
Infection Control Measures Implemented:
1. Emergency Care
One of the ways dentists can reduce their risk of being infected with COVID- 19 is by limiting the number of patients coming into the office.
Teledentistry services are now available for patients dealing with non- emergencies. Depending on the patient's problems, the dentist might be able to diagnose them and instruct them on how to address the problem. Limiting dental services to emergencies helps to protect both the dentist and their patients.
2.Protective Gear:
Dentists also use a variety of protective equipment to protect themselves and their staff when performing treatments. Face masks and shields can help to prevent contaminated droplets from getting on the dental worker's mouth and nose. It does not provide full protection against inhaling harmful airborne microorganisms, but it does provide some levels of protection.
Using protective gear is particularly important for dentists since the tools used during treatments, like ultrasonic scalers, create aerosols that can be contaminated with the coronavirus.
3. Separating Patients:
Dentists are now scheduling appointments further apart to reduce the number of people in the office at any given time. Current social distancing guidelines recommend spacing people at least six feet apart from each other, and this is factored in when scheduling appointments.
Dentists are also giving their patients the option of checking in and waiting in their car. This can provide an additional level of protection for patients.
4. Focus On Infection Control:
Dental clinics have shared areas, like waiting rooms, which need to be regularly disinfected to prevent cross contamination. Many dentists are cleaning these areas after every patient to protect themselves and their patients.
Sanitizing aids, like hand sanitizer, are available in such common areas so patients can sanitize their hands as needed. Keeping the hands clean remains one of the most effective ways to prevent infection.
Infection Control: has become the top priority all over the globe as the world battles the COVID- 19 pandemic. the Center for Disease Control has established new guidelines for healthcare providers services for patients with the most pressing needs.
The coronavirus is an airborne virus that is very contagious. It is primarily spread by infected airborne droplets making contact with a person's nose or mouth. It can also be spread by contamination since it survives surfaces for up to 48 hours. The virus can be spread even when the carrier is pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic. The combination of all these things makes infection control a challenging feat.
Dr. Curtis M. Johnson, DDS, FAGD, PC