Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind these days, particularly parents whose primary concern is their children’s well-being. And while infection control has always been a top priority for dental offices, those protocols have become even more strict since the pandemic began. At Kitsap Kid’s Dentistry, we prepare for appointments to ensure that kids are getting dental care as safely as possible. By combining recommendations from the CDC and the ADA with an ongoing commitment to health and safety, you can be confident your child is receiving outstanding dental care with minimal risk of exposure.
Pre-Screenings For Team and Patients
Each day as team members arrive they receive a no-contact temperature check and answer a set of questions to make sure they’re ready to provide care that day. Similarly, patients will also receive a temperature screening and answer a few quick questions about their recent activities and physical health.
Additional Training For the Team
Every member of the dental team already comes to the table with training on infection control. But additional training has been provided to make sure each individual has the information and awareness they need to keep the risk of exposure as low as possible.
Daily Team Meetigns
Each day, our team meets in small groups to assess adherence to dental safety protocols in our practice and make sure all rules are being followed. This includes social distancing, greeting and screening patients, and answering questions on a daily basis. We are creating and cultivating an ongoing “culture of safety” for everyone in the office.
Changing Into Work Clothes at Work
Before the pandemic, it was common to see dental professionals in their scrubs running errands before or after work. Now, we change into clean scrubs on-site when we arrive and put our non-work clothes back on before leaving.
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
PPE such as masks and gloves has always been a big part of safety and sanitation in a dental setting. Now, we use additional protective gear that may include different or more protective masks, a face shield, and HEPA- grade filters in each room. Even the front desk team and every patient over age two (who are able) are required to wear a mask at all times (except during treatment of course).
All of these additional protocols are part of the “new normal” and are a big part of preventing the spread of COVID-19. They’re just one more way we make the health and well-being of patients, staff and the larger community a top priority!