What Does Dentistry Look Like During COVID-19?

1. What Does Dentistry Look Like During COVID-19?

2. During the earliest COVID-19 restrictions, dental clinics around the country completely shut down. As more businesses opened in the summer, dental offices were quick to follow, but only with substantial precautions in place. Even with the latest surges in numbers, dental offices are remaining open. At the Poulsbo Dental Clinic, we are taking steps to protect our patients and employees during COVID-19. To keep themselves and their staff safe during COVID-19, dentists in Poulsbo have to plan, implement, and change their safety protocols. They have to consider how to staff their offices each day and what to do when employees are exposed to COVID-19. Since patients wonder if going to the dentist is safe during COVID-19, dentists have to show them how safe their offices are.

3. Dental Hygienist Responsibilities Since COVID-19 spreads through aerosol, dental hygienists have to change the way they clean teeth. They need to spend less time in the mouth, so their work needs to be more efficient.While working, dentists need to reduce the amount of aerosol they create and rely on more high-powered suction tools. To protect themselves and their clients, dental hygienists need to work in a space that uses technology to filter the air, especially from airborne viruses. This means that dental offices might need to invest in environmental air decontamination systems that rely on ozone, ultraviolet, and hydrogen peroxide technologies. Between patients, hygienists need extra time to decontaminate surfaces and properly remove used PPE to apply new coverings for their eyes, face, mouth, and nose.

4. Patient Responsibilities All of the burdens for safety during COVID-19 protocols should not rest on only the dentist. The patients need to also take precautions. For example, patients need to reschedule their appointments if they have been recently exposed to anyone with COVID-19 before going to the dentist. Patients should wait in their cars or outside before being admitted into the office. If possible, patients should request telehealth services to avoid exposure during COVID-19. Patients should practice good oral hygiene between appointments by brushing and flossing as instructed.

5. Changes to Dental Appointments Patients and staff will notice continual changes to dental practices. Many of the changes will be in staffing, safety protocols, and technology use. Many offices already instituted PPE changes decades ago due to other highly contagious viruses, like HIV. But due to COVID-19’s mode of transmission, PPE protocols will intensify in dental offices. While dental cleanings should occur every six months, dental offices might struggle to keep the pre-COVID schedules due to staffing issues and exposure to the virus. So, patients should be prepared for their appointment times to change.Patients might find that hygienists spend less time using traditional dental tools and more time using newer technology to clean their teeth. Dentist appointments might be scheduled via telehealth services when appropriate. Waiting rooms can be closed, as patients might be asked to remain in their cars or to wait outside until the start of their appointments.

6. Wait Times During the Pandemic To maintain social distancing and to complete thorough equipment cleaning between patients during COVID-19, dental offices may have limited appointment times. Therefore, patients might have long wait times between office visits. Between appointments, patients should take care of their teeth with daily brushing and flossing. They should contact the dentist if they have problems that need immediate care.

7. Finn Hill Dental 20307 Viking Ave NW Suite 201, Poulsbo, WA 98370 (360) 779-9770 finnhilldental.com