4 Ways Your Dentist Is Implementing Social Distancing at Their Office

Although the transition out of quarantine has begun, the fight against the spread of the novel Coronavirus is not yet over. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to reinforce the importance of practicing social distancing. In fact, they believe it may have prevented up to 185,000 deaths! Therefore, your dental office has redesigned its daily operations to incorporate the 6-foot distance guidelines. Read on for four ways your dentist in Midland is implementing social distancing at your visit during COVID-19.

No Handshakes or Hugs

While prior visits to your dentist may have started with a warm handshake or welcoming hug, your greeting during COVID-19 will look a little different. To comply with guidelines put forth by the CDC, your dentist and their team will be opting for social distancing-friendly greetings that require minimal to no contact. Therefore, you can expect hellos in the form of air high-fives and friendly waves at your next appointment.

Virtual Waiting Rooms

Pre-pandemic, waiting rooms were known for their congested seating areas and communal activities. However, dentists are implementing virtual waiting rooms that allow you to check-in with your phone and sit in the comfort of your car until the treatment room is ready. This process minimizes your contact with others while also allowing the office staff to control foot traffic in and out of the building. 

Sequenced Patient Scheduling

To make social distancing a practical reality at their office, dentists are incorporating a new form of appointment setting called sequenced patient scheduling. While this does mean that they are not seeing as many patients throughout the day, it also ensures they can consistently prioritize dental care and cleaning during COVID-19.

Extensive Sanitation Measures

While you are in the treatment chair, it is virtually impossible for you and your dentist to keep a 6-foot distance between one another. Therefore, your dental team is taking their already high sanitation and infection control measures to the next level. To ensure your safety and avoid cross-contamination, your dental team will:

• Practice proper handwashing.
• Conduct a thorough cleaning after every appointment and deep cleaning each evening.
• Use CDC-approved instrument sterilization.
• Enforce personal hygiene standards (i.e., no long nails, change out of work clothes at work, etc.).
• Remove communal activities (i.e., magazines, toy chests, etc.).
• Frequently wipe down doorknobs, counters, and other public surfaces.

Since COVID-19 is still a threat, we all must continue to be vigilant in limiting the spread. Therefore, your dentist is taking these painstaking measures to make social distancing a reality at your next visit!

About the Author

In addition to earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University, Dr. Laura Philipps has received advanced dental training at multiple prestigious institutes, like the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, FL. When she isn’t providing exemplary dental care to her community in Midland, Dr. Philipps uses her state-of-the-art training and 20+ years of hands-on experience to support a charitable organization that provides dental care to low-income children. If you would like to speak with her about how she is using her knowledge and skill to keep her patients safe during COVID-19, please visit her website or give her a call at 432-570-4433.