You’re doing a lot to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. By working from home, wearing a face covering, and limiting your public outings, you are significantly reducing your likelihood of becoming sick with the virus. Fortunately, your dentist in Midlothian is taking plenty of steps to ensure that maintaining the health of your smile is both accessible and safe! Continue reading to learn why you shouldn’t be delaying your dental appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regular Dental Visits Are Necessary for Your Overall Health
Visiting your dentist helps to maintain your beautiful smile, but that’s not all! It also has a huge impact on your overall wellbeing. If there is something going on in your mouth, it can affect the rest of your body. For instance, gum disease can often be linked to other problems like heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and respiratory disease. Because your body is fighting an infection in your mouth, it is harder for your immune system to fight back against other infections in the body, making it more likely that you will get sick. Seeing your dentist to address any problems keeps you healthier!
The Dental Office Has Always Been a Safe Place
Whenever you go to a healthcare office, where that be your primary care doctor or your dentist, you should know that they are required to follow strict guidelines in order to guarantee that they are serving patients in a safe place. Here are a few steps that your dental team is always taking:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
When caring for patients, your dental team always uses PPE. Normally, this would include disposable gloves, a surgical mask, and whatever else your dentist deems necessary for the particular treatment.
Personal Hygiene
Everyone working in the office washes their hands frequently to limit the possibility of spreading illnesses.
Sanitation
The metal dental instruments used to clean your teeth are always sterilized after each patient through the use of an autoclave. Surfaces throughout the practice are also disinfected regularly.
The Dental Office Is Even Safer Now
In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep families safe, your dentist is taking a variety of new safety protocols. Here are just a few of them:
Advanced Safety Training
Each team member has completed additional awareness and prevention programs, so they have the training necessary to treat patients safely during the pandemic.
Virtual Waiting Room
Instead of checking in at the front desk, now you can check in from your car. Just give your dental staff a call to let them know that you arrived. They will let you know when they are ready for you. You will be able to bypass the entire reception area and go directly to your treatment room.
Daily Health Checks
When the team comes into the practice each day, they will be asked a set of questions and undergo a no-contact temperature check. This ensures that they are ready and able to provide safe dental care to patients.
Sequenced Patient Scheduling
Appointments are being spaced out further than usual. This allows for additional cleaning before each visit. It also helps to prevent unnecessary contact between patients.
Patient Pre-Screening
All patients are required to complete a quick health questionnaire and consent form. This will be accompanied by a quick temperature check upon arrival to the office.
Just because we are living during a pandemic doesn’t mean you need to put your dental care on hold. Your dentist is doing everything in their power to keep you safe so you can come into the office with peace of mind.
About the Author
Dr. Jay Oza and his team are serving patients in Midlothian, TX. He earned his dental degree from New York University and takes numerous courses of continuing education to stay on top of the latest advances in dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the Fort Worth Dental Society. Dr. Oza is taking 21 additional safety protocols in order to keep his patients safe from COVID-19. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (682) 772-3072.