As COVID cases across the country continue to decline, more people are emerging from their homes. You’re able to enjoy certain things that you might have missed over the last several months, like preventive appointments with your dentist. Although the COVID pandemic is slowing, you might still have a few concerns about visiting your dentist because you’re vulnerable to illnesses. Don’t worry, dentists are accommodating at-risk patients. Here are 3 steps they are taking to keep patients well.
COVID and At-Risk Patients
Although we’re still learning a lot about the virus, research has found a connection between severe symptoms and certain health issues. Besides the elderly, people with coronary heart disease or high blood pressure are more likely to suffer extreme symptoms from COVID. Not to mention, those who have compromised immune systems, such as from diabetes or lung disease, are also at risk. If you fall into any of those groups, you’re taking extra precautions to avoid the virus, and your dentist is, too. Here are just a few of the changes they’ve made to accommodate at-risk patients.
1. Personal Protective Equipment
Your dental team will wear the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), like face masks, gloves, and face shields. You’ll find more plastic barriers and other tactics to protect both patients and staff. They’ve added more sanitary stations and improved their safety standards to keep patients and staff feeling their best.
2. Social Distancing Standards
Besides adding space between chairs in the office, your dentist is also scheduling fewer appointments each day. This allows them to keep distance between patients who are arriving and leaving. With fewer people in the office, it significantly lowers the risk of spreading the virus while also giving the dental team more time to clean between each patient. You can rest assured the office will be clean and sanitized before you walk through the door.
3. Advanced Training
Amid the COVID crisis, many dental professionals used the opportunity to undergo advanced training in safety protocols. Before reopening their doors, your dental office has made several changes to their safety standards to ensure their office is the cleanest place you visit during the day. Although dental offices are already fairly sanitary, they’ve taken cleanliness to a new level to help combat the COVID pandemic.
Get the Care You Need Without the Risk
You don’t need to compromise your oral health because of COVID concerns. With oral and general health linked to one another, it’s more important than ever your smile stays healthy to help your body fight harmful pathogens, like the coronavirus. Your dentist has gone the extra mile to provide access to comprehensive dental care while keeping patients well.
About Dr. Steven Margolian
Dr. Margolian has provided exceptional dentistry to the Toronto area for over 30 years. Besides earning his dental degree, he has completed advanced training in dental implants, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry. He has updated his safety standards and protocols to fight the spread of COVID. If you need an appointment or have questions about the precautions our office is taking, contact our office today to speak with a member of our team.