Now more than ever, it is critical to prioritize your health and well-being. As Texas begins to open back up after weeks of staying at home, many people are wondering if it is safe to visit their dentist for a dental checkup. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about daily life – including how your dentist prepares for your next appointment. You can rest assured your dentist is not just washing their hands, throwing on their dentist’s coat and getting to work on your teeth! To learn more about the numerous new dental safety protocols in Dallas your dentist is following, keep reading below.
Your Dentist’s High Standards
First, it is important to remember that, in general, dentists’ offices are among the cleanest public spaces around. Even before the current health crisis, your dentist in Dallas has always followed strict infection controls and safety guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These guidelines were designed to ensure dental practices are clean and safe spaces and represent a strong line of defense against infectious diseases.
What Is a Safety Champion?
Ensuring patient health and safety at a dental office is always a team effort. However, designating one staff member each day as “safety champion” helps ensure both standard sanitation protocols and new dental safety measures are always being followed. The safety champion at your dentist in Dallas is responsible for greeting patients, answering questions, ensuring social distancing and general monitoring to help ensure your next visit is as safe as possible.
New Dental Safety Protocols in Dallas
In addition to organizing daily safety champions, many local dental practices are implementing a range of new dental safety protocols in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are just a few of the ways your dentist is preparing for your next visit:
- Daily Health Checks – No-contact temperature checks and a quick screening questionnaire will ensure your dental team is ready, willing and able to provide you safe dental care.
- Change Work Clothes at Work – Dental staff are no longer wearing their scrubs while running errands after work. Each day, they will change into and out of their newly cleaned scrubs at the office.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – To minimize the spread or absorption of airborne particles, your dental professionals will be wearing appropriate PPE, such as masks, face shields, and disposable, protective gowns and hats.
Do you feel ready for your next dental exam and cleaning? Your dentist sure is! If you have any remaining doubts, just ask your dentist in Dallas about what dental safety protocols that have put into place since your last visit.
About the Author
Dr. Mariya Barnett, named one D Magazine’s Best Dentists of Dallas 2019, is proud to provide quality oral care to the Dallas community. She always puts patient safety first, which is why she recently implemented a range of new dental safety protocols at her conveniently located private practice. To learn more about what Dr. Barnett is doing to keep patients safe and healthy, visit her website or call 214-373-9903.
