Your life has changed quite a bit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of working at the office, you have made your home your workplace. You have been wearing a mask during public outings and even try to limit the amount of contact you have with other people as much as you can. Your dental visits will be looking a little bit different as well for the time being, but by working together, things will be a new normal before you know it. Continue reading to learn what you can expect in dentistry during COVID-19.
Before Your Appointment
Here are some of the precautions that are being taken before the start of your appointment in order to keep patients and team members safe:
Screening Questions
Before you come into the office, you will be asked some screening questions related to your current health. You will be asked them again when you show up to the office. This is just a precautionary measure to reduce the probability of someone who is contagious from spreading illnesses in the office.
Sequenced Patient Scheduling
The team will be doing their best to schedule more time between patients in order to prevent unnecessary contact. This means that you may be given fewer options when it comes to scheduling your appointment.
During Your Appointment
Steps will be taken during your appointment as well in order to keep the office as COVID-19 free as possible:
Hand Sanitizer
You will be asked to use hand sanitizer when you come into the office. There will be multiple hand-sanitizing stations throughout the practice so that you are able to regularly disinfect your hands/
No Magazines
It may not be as entertaining without them, but magazines and children’s toys are being removed from the waiting room. This is because these items are more difficult to clean and disinfect. This limits the probability of picking up illnesses from surfaces.
Social Distancing
Social distancing is being enforced in the dental practice. Appointments are managed in a way where maintaining six-foot distance is achievable.
After Your Appointment
As always, all instruments, equipment, and surfaces are wiped, sanitized, and disinfected after each patient leaves the office. In addition to cleaning during the day, the office is thoroughly cleaned in the evening as well.
Things may be different now, but it is all an effort to keep you and your family healthy. With these additional safety protocols, you can attend your appointment with peace of mind!
About the Author
A Florida native, Dr. Alan Kellner earned his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia. After that, he completed his residency at the State University of New York in Stonybrook. Following his father’s footsteps, Dr. Kellner returned to Florida and now takes great pride in providing top-tier dental care to his patients in Fort Lauderdale. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kellner, you can contact his staff through his website.