When it comes to how we live our daily lives, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed virtually everything. Grocery shopping went from a chore to a potentially risky activity. Dealing with social distancing has been difficult for most people. One aspect of society that has certainly changed is dentistry. Your dentist in Collinsville was closed for non-emergency patients for a while, but they have recently decided to reopen for ordinary procedures like checkups. Keep reading to learn what you can expect to deal with before, during, and after your first appointment after your dentist’s reopening.
Before Your Appointment
To make sure that all patients who enter the office are healthy, a member of your dentist’s staff may contact you before your appointment to ask about your current health. They may repeat these questions when you first arrive at the practice, as well as take your temperature with a no-contact thermometer.
Your dentist’s team might also request that you limit the number of people you bring with you to the office. If you have children, you may have to leave them at home or with a sitter. Or, if it’s your child who has the appointment, you might be asked to wait in the car until their treatment is finished.
During Your Appointment
When you first arrive at the office, you’ll likely be asked to wait in your car instead of in the office. Waiting rooms can be breeding grounds for germs, so it’s much safer for everyone to wait in their cars. That way, when the dentist is ready to see you, you can head straight back into the treatment room.
While sitting in the dental chair, you may notice that things look a little different. The chair and keyboard may have a disposable cover for easy cleaning. Your dentist and their clinical team should be wearing additional personal protective equipment (PPE) like face shields and shoe coverings in order to prevent the transmission of germs from patient to doctor and vice versa.
After Your Appointment
Once your appointment is over, your dentist’s staff will thoroughly wipe down and disinfect every surface you touched. Rest assured that this is done between every patient.
If you find yourself displaying coronavirus-like symptoms within 14 days of your appointment, call your dentist right away. You might have already been carrying the virus at the time of your visit. As a result, anyone with whom you came into contact could be at risk of contracting the virus.
Keep in mind that your dentist’s office is one of the cleanest places you could be, even during a global pandemic. You can sleep easy knowing that you shouldn’t develop COVID-19 after getting the dental care you need.
About the Author
Dr. Trey Richard achieved his dental doctorate from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. He also recently completed the requirements to earn a Fellowship with the International College of Oral Implantologists. His practice takes your health and safety very seriously, which is why his staff keeps the office as clean as possible. To learn more about their safety precautions, visit Dr. Richard’s website.