How are Dentists Keeping Patients Safe During COVID-19?

After being closed for over a month, your dentist in Castle Shannon is now accepting new and existing patient appointments for comprehensive dental services. Many people are hesitant to visit their dentist due to the threat of COVID-19; however, there are dozens of extensive safety protocols being implemented by your dental staff in order to prioritize your health so you can get the dental care you need. Read on to learn about some new dental safety measures and how they’re beneficial.

How is COVID-19 Transmitted?

If you don’t know, COVID-19 is transmitted from the spread of bodily droplets of fluid, such as saliva. They can be spread directly to a person from coughing or sneezing, or by being transferred from a surface to a non-infected person’s mucous membrane, or eyes, nose, or mouth. This typically occurs when a person touches an infected surface and then proceeds to rub their face.

Knowing the details of how COVID-19 is transferred from person-to-person has allowed dental practices across the country to optimize their safety precautions to ensure patient safety.

What Are Dentists Doing to Prioritize Patient Safety?

There are dozens of dental safety protocols in Castle Shannon that have been implemented to help you feel safe while visiting your dental practice. Here are a few:

• Advanced staff safety training to enhance knowledge and preparedness in light of COVID-19.
• Daily team health checks are done to ensure that our staff is safe to treat patients.
• No handshakes or hugs in the office to limit contact.
• Virtual check-in area from your car to reduce the number of patients in the office at one time.
• Dispersed patient scheduling to allow for more time to disinfect between appointments.
• Patient pre-screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
• At-risk patient hours for medically compromised and mature patients.
• Virtual dental consultations available to promote social distancing.

These are only a few safety protocols, among dozens that have been put in place. If you’d like to learn more about your unique dental office’s practices, don’t hesitate to contact them directly!

Why is it Important to Not Put Off Dental Treatments?

Although it may be tempting to put off getting a dental treatment in order to protect your safety from COVID-19 and not break your self-quarantine, it’s important to remember that could cause serious issues to arise down the road. Without timely dental treatment, a problem as small as a cavity can advance into an infection, which could require a more invasive procedure, such as a root canal.

It you notice any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms or signs while you’re self-quarantining, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist immediately. Because they offer virtual consultations, they can address your symptoms and let you know whether or not it’s necessary for you to come into the office for treatment. Plus, with the countless preventive measures reassuring your safety, you’ll be able to receive worry-free care.

About the Author

Dr. Colleen Cain has years of experience providing her community of Pittsburgh with high-quality dental care. She is focused on putting her patient’s oral and overall wellbeing first by providing high-quality preventive dental care. In response to COVID-19, she has also implemented over two dozen new safety protocols to protect her patients. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call 412-343-9999.