Are you preparing to see your emergency dentist in Ripon? No matter the reason for your visit, there is a good chance you are wondering what measures they are taking to keep you and others safe from the potential risk of contracting COVID-19. Although dental offices are known for being some of the cleanest places you can visit right now because of their strict sanitation guidelines, dentists and their teams are going the extra mile to abide by a multitude of protocols put forth by various health and safety organizations. Read on to learn what preparations are being made daily to better protect you during your visit.
Preparations Designed with You in Mind
What steps is your dentist taking to maintain cleanliness and safety among all patients and staff? Aside from wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and increasing efforts to sanitize and disinfect dental offices from top to bottom each day, you might be surprised by some of the following protocols they are now adhering to, some of which include:
Assigning a Safety Champion Each Day
The term “safety champion” is typically used in non-dental settings (i.e. construction, factory manufacturing, etc.); however, it is the ideal role for all industries to adopt. Why? Because this individual, which changes each day, is responsible for making sure all guests are greeted and the various protocols put forth by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), American Dental Association (ADA), and the Occupational Safety & Hazard Administration (OSHA) are closely followed.
Performing Daily Temperature Checks on Staff
While you will be expected to undergo a pre-screening when you arrive as well as when you call to schedule an appointment, your dentist in Ripon and their team will have their temperatures checked daily to ensure no one is arriving to work sick or displaying symptoms of COVID-19. This will help to keep everyone in the office safe and protected against virus-causing germs and bacteria.
Changing Into Work Clothes at the Office
Staff members will no longer be allowed to wear their scrubs to and from the dental office. The days of seeing your hygienist at the grocery store in their work attire are no more. Why? Researchers have found that bacteria can live on clothing and be easily spread to other individuals. To avoid the potential for harmful pathogens to be transferred onto someone else, your dentist is requiring everyone to change into their work clothes when they arrive and change out before they leave.
Providing Adequate Staff Training
It’s not enough to simply know the rules. Instead, staff members are being trained on how to perform certain tasks as they relate to protecting patients from COVID-19. From learning how and when to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to ways in which to sanitize and disinfect dental instruments, equipment, and surfaces, everyone working inside the dentist’s office will be receiving the necessary training to become more aware of the preventive measures being taken to keep everyone safe.
As a patient, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the protocols your dentist’s office is putting into place. This will not only help you to be more aware of the changes you can expect when you arrive but also learn what you can do to aid in these efforts to ensure a seamless, successful visit.
About the Practice
At Silver Creek Dentistry, our team is taking extreme measures to maintain the
highest health and safety standards during this time. Although we abide by the
strictest sanitation guidelines, we are taking extra precautions to make sure
harmful pathogens and bacteria do put out our staff and patients at risk. If
you or a loved one need to schedule an appointment or require immediate dental
care amid this pandemic, visit our website or call
(920) 748-7200 to learn how we are keeping you safe.