Before the COVID-19 pandemic, your dental team would wash their hands, put on a new pair of gloves, and be ready for your appointment. However, much more goes into preparing for your visit these days! In fact, a wide variety of extra safety and infection control processes have been established to keep you as safe as possible when you come in for your dental treatment during the pandemic. Here’s what your Topeka and Silver Lake dentist is doing to prepare for your dental appointment in COVID-19.
1.) Advanced Staff Training
When reopening a dental practice, the first additional dental safety protocol in Topeka and Silver Lake is advanced COVID-19 awareness and prevention training. This information keeps your dental team up to date and informed on how to perform safe dental treatment in the coronavirus pandemic.
2.) Daily Team Member Health Checks
To ensure team members are ready and able to keep their patients and practice healthy, each day at the office starts with:
- A no-touch temperature check.
- A quick health questionnaire.
- 20-30 seconds of handwashing.
3.) Change Work Clothes at Work
COVID-19 can live on some surfaces for several days. To prevent bringing any outside germs into the practice, your dental team is only changing into and out of their clean scrubs at the office.
4.) New Personal Protective Equipment
To further enhance their work wardrobe, your dental team now wears several new pieces of personal protective equipment, like:
- N95 & ASTM level 3 masks.
- Face shields.
- Disposable, protective coats and hats.
5.) Personal Hygiene Standards
Hand hygiene is incredibly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order for team members to thoroughly clean their hands throughout the day, they may not wear fake nails, rings, or watches.
6.) Changes to the Reception Area
When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll also notice that there have been several changes to the reception area as well, like:
- Fewer available chairs to encourage social distancing.
- No magazines, toys, or activities to limit frequently touched items.
- New clear plastic barriers and HEPA air filters to hinder the spread of airborne particles.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how your dental team prepares for your appointment, it hasn’t changed their commitment to your overall health. If you need to visit them for dental care after weeks in quarantine, you can rest assured that your smile is in capable, clean, and fully prepared hands.
About the Practice
At Michel Dental in Topeka and Silver Lake, KS, our top concerns have always been the wellbeing of our patients, staff, and community. Since 1981 we have been meeting the high sanitation standards set forth by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In these unusual times, we have added 23 additional steps to our normal infection control processes to add peace of mind to the excellent and friendly dental care you’ve come to expect. To learn more about our Commitment to Safety, feel free to contact us via our website or at (785) 273-0801.