PPE Per CDC Guidance for Dental Offices During COVID-19

Dental offices have adopted PPC per CDC guidance for their dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists. They continue to take up newer and more enhanced measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PPC per CDC guidance and other safety measures during COVID-19

Most health organizations are adjusting their daily operations to meet the challenges of the novel coronavirus and the resultant social distancing. Dentists are now:

• Limiting in-person visits to dental emergencies and urgent dental care
• Adopting teledentistry for consultation and other routine dental tasks
• Updating the content on their websites to be even more targeted and informative
• Allowing for online chat options, and allocating more resources to fielding calls
• Regular disinfection of the practice between patients
• Enforcing social distancing in the front office and waiting room

Last and most importantly, dental practices now require their staff to make additions to their protective clothing and equipment. Because dentists and their assistants are the ones who come in close contact with patients, they take the strictest measures.

Personal protective equipment for front office staff

The front office staff will follow social distancing rules for the duration of a patient’s dental visit. They will also have on a lab coat and/or scrubs in addition to a face mask.

Personal protective equipment for dental assistants

Dental assistants help dentists with demanding dental procedures. They are also responsible for sterilizing and disinfecting dental instruments. This is in addition to setting up dental equipment in preparation for a procedure. Because of their close interaction with patients and dental equipment, dental assistants will wear a gown, gloves and a face mask before and during a procedure.

They may wear eye protection if they participate in a dental procedure with a chance of aerosolized debris.

Dentists, including oral surgeons and periodontists

During COVID-19, dental offices will contact their patients for screening. This consultation will likely take place via a video app. This means that when the patient comes in, they will likely be directed straight to the treatment area. There, the dentist performs an exam and carries out the appropriate dental procedure.

When a patient walks into the treatment room, they will come face to face with a dentist in a surgical gown, mask and gloves. Depending on the person’s health status and the procedure they need, the dentist may also wear eye protection or a face shield.

It will be slightly different from your regular dental visit

Best practices dictate that dental offices uphold adequate infection control protocols. For dental practitioners, this includes a gown, a mask and, sometimes, eye protection. If you have sat in a dentist’s chair before, you already know what to expect. The only difference now is that the dentist may keep a mask on at all times, and maintain social distancing until they start to examine and treat you.

If you need urgent dental care, call us. We will get you the treatment you need while catering to your safety and health requirements. The PPC per CDC Guidance that we implement is just one part of our efforts to protect you in these times we are in.

Request an appointment here: https://www.sacramentosleepdentist.com or call Dental Excellence of Greenhaven at (916) 293-0504 for an appointment in our Sacramento office.

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