When arriving at your dentist’s office, you may wonder what will be different. After all, COVID-19 is still very much a threat. While you may know that your dentist in Bergenfield and team members are increasing sanitation efforts and wearing all the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), you’ll be pleased to know there are other measures in place to keep you better protected during your visit. What are they? Spend a few minutes reading through the changes you can expect before, during, and after your appointment.
Pre-Screening All Patients and Staff
When calling to schedule an appointment, you will be asked a series of questions about your health and whether you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19. You will likely be asked these same questions the day you arrive. But staff members will also be screened before entering the dentist’s office. By performing daily temperature checks, this ensures everyone working inside the office the day of your visit is healthy and fever-free.
Waiting in Your Vehicle
Instead of normally waiting in the lobby of your dentist’s office, you will be asked to remain in your vehicle until it is time for your appointment. When you arrive, you’ll need to alert the front desk staff by texting or calling. Once it is time for you to come inside, they will let you know so you can safely enter.
Minimizing the Number of Patients Seen
Unless you are scheduling a block of time for you and your entire family to be seen, your dentist is taking great care to minimize the number of individuals in the office at one time. By implementing a few particular protocols, this is easily accomplished. Not only are they practicing spaced-out scheduling to allow for more time between patients, but they are also offering block scheduling for you and your family (up to 6 people).
Opting for Single-Use Dental Instruments
If at all possible, your dentist will always strive to utilize single-use dental instruments to avoid the potential for cross-contamination. When it is not possible, you can trust that team members are using specialized cleaning devices (i.e. autoclave) to thoroughly sanitize and disinfect all instruments before reuse. This will ensure all items used during a normal appointment are cleaned using high-heat sanitation methods, effectively killing harmful bacteria and viruses that could spread from patient-to-patient.
These are just a few of the many safety protocols your dental team is implementing, so if you want to learn more or find out what else you can do at home to prepare for your appointment, make sure to contact a member of the staff.
About the Author
Dr. Mariliza LaCap has more than two decades of experience working in the oral healthcare field. As a well-versed, licensed dental professional, she and her team are going above and beyond to ensure all patients are aware and understand the necessary changes they are making as a result of COVID-19. To keep everyone better protected, additional safety protocols are now in place to avoid unnecessary viruses and bacteria from entering the office and being transmitted between staff and patients. If you are looking for a “safe dentist near me” or have an upcoming appointment and want to know more about what they’re doing to ensure your health and safety, contact us at (201) 453-4863.