As dental offices begin to slowly reopen throughout the United States, you may be asking yourself, “When it is truly safe to go back?” While only you can answer that question, your dentist in Waco wants to reassure you that their office is one of the cleanest places you can visit during this time. Because they must adhere to the strictest sanitation guidelines, you can trust that the recent events surrounding COVID-19 have only increased their health and safety efforts. If you are still somewhat skeptical about the idea of stepping inside your dentist’s office, find out just what steps are being taken to ensure you remain virus-free during your visit.
Why You Can Trust Your Dentist
To remain open and available to see patients, dentists must maintain the highest level of cleanliness within their office. This not only requires that all equipment, dental instruments, and surfaces be disinfected regularly, but all personnel must have good personal hygiene as well.
Although the importance of handwashing has been propelled to the forefront because of COVID-19, it’s not just a dentist’s hands that must remain clean. Everything from their hair, clothes, and even fingernails must be as germ and bacteria-free as possible. This is why personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided. Face masks and shields, protective eyewear, disposable gowns, and gloves are required for all dental team members because of their ability to safeguard against possible contamination.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Occupational Safety & Hazard Administration (OSHA) have provided recommended guidelines for dental offices to adopt while attempting to combat COVID-19. While the list is long, it is designed to ensure all patients and staff remain informed and protected against the virus.
What Standards Are Used to Keep Dental Offices Clean?
Fortunately, it takes more than a few quick sprays of disinfectant to ensure the instruments being used in your mouth are clean. While most dentists are currently trying to use as many disposable, single-use items as possible, this is not always feasible.
To ensure dental patient safety, your dentist will place the instruments used into a special bag that has a clear window on one side and insert them into an autoclave that emits high-pressure, saturated steam. Once a timer is set, a color indicator on the bag will let team members know when the contents are cleaned and ready for reuse.
Additionally, disposable coverings are typically placed on chairs and overhead light handles to minimize cross-contamination. But as an added layer of protection, your dentist will use disinfectants that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to combat emerging viral pathogens. This means cleaning all surfaces that are regularly touched (i.e. the chair, overhead light, door handles, countertops).
These measures are time-consuming but necessary to keep everyone safe. To allow for proper sanitizing and disinfecting of all surfaces and equipment, your dentist may allow for additional time between appointments.
About the Author
Dr. Wendy Winarick and her team at Dental Station Family Dentistry in Waco, TX, are eager to provide high-quality care once again. Although COVID-19 kept them from seeing patients for regular and elective treatments, staff members are working diligently to maintain the highest standards when it comes to cleanliness and safety. If you would like to know more about what efforts Dr. Winarick is taking to keep you safe, contact us via our website or by calling (254) 772-1827.