Your dentist in Carrollton and the rest of their team are always keeping your health and safety in mind. That’s why, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve gone above and beyond in adopting strict handwashing and personal hygiene practices to make sure that they’re not exposing you or any other patients to potentially dangerous germs or viruses. Keep reading to learn 4 important pieces of dental safety protocol in Carrollton that dental teams have made a part of their everyday routine.
1. Wash Hands for At Least 20 Seconds at a Time
It’s not enough to simply lather the hands with soap and run them under water for a few seconds. Each team member needs to make sure they spend enough time at the sink in order to ensure that they’ve cleaned their hands as thoroughly as possible. The general rule is to wash for 20 seconds at a time; some team members find that reciting the alphabet twice or singing the Happy Birthday song helps with the timing. Regardless, it’s important to use this time wisely by scrubbing between the fingers, underneath the fingernails, and up the forearms.
2. Wear the Appropriate Safety Gear When Interacting with Patients
Due to COVID-19 concerns, all members of the dental team will be wearing masks at all times – even those running the front desk. Of course, dentists, hygienists, and assistants working directly with patients’ mouths will need additional protection. This naturally includes gloves, of course, in order to make sure that their hands don’t come in direct contact with anything in your oral cavity. It may also mean wearing a full face shield and a disposable coat. The goal is to minimize the risk of exposure to aerosols or splatter.
3. Make Note of When to Wash
All dental practices will have their own handwashing policies in place, but all of them will require team members to clean their hands when:
- They are about to come in contact with a patient.
- They have touched a patient’s mouth or skin.
- They have removed their gloves.
- They have been handling bodily fluids of any kind.
Generally speaking, there will be someone on the staff responsible for making sure that these protocols are successfully followed.
4. Make Sure All Equipment and Surfaces Stay Clean
Any sort of reusable equipment (such as the scalers used to remove plaque) must be completely sterilized before they are used to treat a patient again. Furthermore, all surfaces in the treatment area must be thoroughly wiped between visits, and the practice itself will be cleaned from top to bottom at night to ensure a hygienic environment.
Are you concerned about calling your dentist in Carrollton for an appointment? Take the time to ask the team over the phone about some of the steps they’re taking to combat COVID-19 when it comes to general hygiene practices.
About the Author
At Aegis Dental, Dr. Moji Chandy has been treating Carrollton patients since 2012, bringing them the high quality care they need to prevent cavities and restore their smiles. Her practice remains open to provide emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she has taken every precaution to ensure your safety. To schedule an appointment, you can get in touch with her through her website or by calling (972) 492-6700.