Life hasn’t been easy for any of us this year. The COVID-19 crisis has hit everybody hard, and it is still making an impact on the way we live today. However, at Patient Empowered Dentistry, we are determined to make life easier for you when it comes to your dental needs.
If you are in need of dental treatment near Eastpointe, MI, do get in touch with us, as we are following the guidelines laid down by the CDC (Center For Disease Control And Prevention). We are taking all of the necessary precautions to keep both our employees and our patients safe, and are here to answer any questions you might have about a visit to the dentist during COVID.
The Guidelines Set Down By The CDC
The guidelines set down by the CDC are long and many, but you can be assured that we are doing everything that they have suggested. To learn more about their recommendations for dental practices, you can visit their official website. However, we have summarized some of the main points for you below.
For all dental practices, the CDC has recommended that the following be put in place.
- Additional infection prevention and control practices to stop the spread of the disease
- Prioritized dental care for those patients most in need of treatment
- The availability of hand hygiene supplies for employees and patients
- Face masks and other protective equipment for both employees and patients
- Scheduled appointments to ensure patients are physically distanced
- Changes to seating areas to ensure social distancing
- Sterilization and disinfection of all dental equipment
- The cleaning and disinfection of all environmental surfaces
For more on what the CDC has recommended, follow the link we gave you, and be assured that we are following all rules and regulations. Your health and safety is a priority to us, and so is that of our employees. When we all do our bit to keep one another safe, we will stop the spread of the disease.
What To Expect When You Next Visit Us
When you next visit our practice, a few things will be the same. You will still be greeted by our warm and friendly team, and you will still be able to see your usual dentist. However, there will be a few differences too, and these are all tied in with the recommendations given by the CDC.
- We will ask you screening questions before your appointment. These will help us determine how your appointment should be prioritized and what we may need to do if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
- We will ask you to use the hand sanitizer that we have made available when you come into our practice.
- In an effort to manage social distancing between patients, we might ask you to wait in your car instead of the waiting room.
- You will notice that some items will be missing from the waiting room. These will include those items that are hard-to-disinfect, or that get in the way of the frequent cleans we do during the day.
- You will be asked to come into our practice alone when possible. This is a safety measure to control the spread of the virus. If necessary, you can bring one caregiver or family member with you, but remember that we have nitrous oxide available if you’re a nervous patient.
- We might take your temperature before your appointment. If your temperature is above a certain level, we might need to postpone your appointment.
- You will notice that all of our staff, including those at the front office, are wearing masks.
- You will also be asked to wear a face-covering when you’re with us in the practice.
These are just a few of the changes you will notice, but there may be others too. Be assured that these will all be in place to keep you and our dental staff safe, so don’t be alarmed if things are a little different from normal. Of course, you will be well-versed in safety measures now, as you will have had to make changes to your life at home, and in those other places that you frequent during the day, such as the local supermarket.
Preventing COVID-19
To prevent the spread of the disease we all need to work together. We will be doing our bit to keep you safe, and we would ask you to adhere to the guidelines that have been set too.
On our part, you can be assured that all of our staff have been tested for the virus. We will wear gloves and face masks at all times, and all members of our staff, other than your dentist, will abide by the 2-meter distancing rule. We say ‘other than your dentist,’ because he will need to be in close proximity with you. Be assured that he will be wearing personal protective equipment, and he will be using sterilized equipment, so the risk to you is minimal.
On your part, we would ask you to wear the appropriate face coverings and to respect the distancing rules that are in place. If you start to show signs of the virus before your visit with us, we would ask you to be honest and let us know. Safety protocols can be put in place if you are showing symptoms and are in need of urgent dental treatment, but if you’re in not in need of urgent dental care, you may be asked to make another appointment.
Give Us A Call
If you’re worried about your visit or if you would like us to clarify something that has been written here, please do give us a call. As ever, your health is your priority to us, so get in touch with us, and let us put your mind at ease if you have any fears or questions.
