As dental offices around the country begin to open back up for regular dental exams and cleanings, you might wonder what to expect. What procedures will your dentist have in place to ensure patient safety? How can you prepare for an appointment? Learn more about what you’ll find in dental offices after coronavirus and how you can safely get the dental care that you need.
What to Expect from Dental Offices After Coronavirus
Many dental offices are putting into place strict procedures and guidelines in order to keep patients safe as they get necessary dental treatment. You can likely expect that your dentist, dental hygienist, and other office staff will be wearing masks and other personal protective equipment. They will thoroughly clean all surfaces in between patients as well as provide hand-washing stations or hand sanitizer for staff and patients.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, dental offices adhered to strict sanitary procedures. You’ll likely find additional measures to keep you safe, like air purifiers and no-contact check-in and check-out procedures.
Post-Coronavirus Dental Procedures
Before your next dentist appointment, make sure that you are not exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, such as a fever or a cough. If you are experiencing these symptoms, reschedule to a later date. Many dental offices have put into place COVID-19 screening forms as well.
Once you arrive at your appointment, follow the procedures put into place by your dental office. These might include staying in your car until you are called in, which will limit the number of patients in the waiting room and allow for social distancing. Many offices are also limiting the number of patients they see in a day in order to allow enough time to sanitize spaces and equipment between patients.
While these procedures might differ between practices, other procedures you can expect at dental offices after coronavirus include:
- Masks – Patients will likely be required to wear a mask when they are receiving treatment
- Hand washing – Patients may be required to wash their hands or use sanitizer upon entry
- Health screenings – Temperatures may be taken at check-in
- Designated standing areas – To promote social distancing, you may be required to stand in certain areas of the waiting room
- Limited patients in the waiting room – Your dental office might ask that you come to your appointment unaccompanied if possible
- Mouthwash – To kill germs in the mouth, your dental practice might ask you to rinse with a pre-procedural mouthwash when entering the treatment area
It’s important to not neglect your oral health during this time. Tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues can go undetected and cause further problems without an exam from a dentist. Contact a dental office near you today to schedule an appointment.
Patient Safety at Columbia Smiles
At Columbia Smiles, we are committed to providing a safe experience for all of our patients. We invite you to take a look at our re-opening procedures, including instructions for before, during, and after your appointment. Although coronavirus has changed how we can interact with patients and each other, we are still the same smiling, caring team.
We offer the following services in our Columbia, MD dental office:
- Cleanings and check-ups to stay ahead of plaque and tartar buildup
- Emergency dentistry services in the event of sudden pain, infection, a tooth breaking or chipping, or loss of a tooth
- Tooth whitening, dental veneers, and composite fillings to straighten and brighten your smile
- Implant and bridge restorative services for missing teeth
- Full or partial dentures
Your oral health is important in maintaining your overall health. At Columbia Smiles, we are committed to your health and safety as our top priority. Contact us at 410.690.4855 to learn more about how our dental office is operating after coronavirus and to make an appointment today.
