As COVID-19 continues to spread, your dentist in Big Pine Key is making changes in their practice to preserve patient safety. Every part of the treatment experience has been modified to ensure that the coronavirus does not threaten you or anyone else involved in your care. The following article will explore some of the new policies you can expect to see in action at your next appointment.
Teledentistry Appointments
While dentists love seeing patients, they realize that they are increasing their risk of exposure to COVID-19 every time they step out of their house. That’s why they are now offering online appointments for issues that don’t absolutely require hands on care. Your dentist will provide you with a link to a video conference that you can access from the comfort of your own home. Using your computer’s webcam and the dental records at their office, they will be able to examine your teeth and let you know if you need to come in for further treatment.
Social Distancing Inside The Office
Your dental team is doing everything they can to limit unnecessary contact and maintain social distancing inside their practice. Some ways they are doing this include:
- Welcoming patients with no contact greetings
- Reducing the number of chairs in the waiting area
- Ceasing office tours
- Creating a one-way flow of traffic in the office
- Scheduling less patients per day
Screenings For Patients And Staff
From now on, anyone who enters your dentist’s office will be checked for symptoms of COVID-19. Patients will complete a brief questionnaire to determine if they have signs of infection or if they have done anything that could have exposed them to the virus over the last 14 days. Their temperature will also be taken to confirm that they don’t have a fever. If they do present symptoms, they may be asked to delay their appointment for up to two weeks. These same policies will also apply to the staff to ensure that they don’t spread the virus to patients.
More Time For Disinfection Procedures
As people move in and out of a dental office, there’s a chance that viral particles on their clothes or hands may be deposited on frequently touched surfaces. To make sure that they don’t reach you, your dental team is dedicating more time during each day to disinfect the office. In addition to thoroughly cleaning treatment rooms after each appointment, the entire office will go through a deep cleaning at the end of the day.
Your dentist knows that problems in your mouth aren’t going to take a break just because of COVID-19. With these and other new safety procedures, they plan to continue providing you with the same excellent dental care your received prior to the pandemic.
About the Author
Dr. Amanda Cobb proudly provides comprehensive dental care services to the residents of Big Pine Key. She earned her dental degree at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. She stays current with the latest developments in dentistry through memberships in the American Dental Association and the Oceanside Study Club. If you’d like to learn about the 19 new ways she is keeping patients safe from the coronavirus, you can contact her through her website or at 305-745-7017.