With all of the things you need to do in your busy life, going to the dentist is the last thing you want to worry about. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and other precautionary measures have been put into place all over the country to protect you and your family from contracting the virus. But what are they doing in dental offices to keep you safe? Your dentist in Columbia can tell you about the additional social distancing steps being taken in dental practices to ensure your safety during the pandemic.
How Do I Practice Social Distancing?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that social distancing, also known as physical distancing, is keeping space between yourself and non-household members. In order to practice social distancing, you must:
- Avoid mass gatherings and crowded locations
- Refrain from social gatherings
- Keep at least 6 feet between you and other people who are not members of your household
By adhering to these criteria, you are reducing your risk of contracting the virus or unknowingly spreading it to other people, even if you don’t know that you’re sick. These guidelines are put into place to protect people who are at high risk of developing life-threatening symptoms from catching COVID-19.
What Does Social Distancing Look Like at The Dental Office?
Dentists are using new techniques to keep their patients and themselves protected from COVID-19. These are a few of them:
- Face coverings: Dentists always wear surgical masks when attending to patients. This helps reduce the likelihood of transmitting illnesses from one person to another. Now, the whole dental staff will be wearing masks for that same reason. Patients are encouraged to wear a face covering as well when they are not being treated. Cloth masks should not be worn by children under the age of two, people with breathing difficulties, or anyone who is incapable of removing it by themselves.
- Sequenced patient scheduling: Dentists are making an effort to space out appointments to cut down the number of people in the office at one time, therefore making it easier to practice social distancing. By limiting unnecessary contact between patients, the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 decreases.
- Virtual waiting rooms: Both dental offices and doctors’ offices are using virtual waiting rooms to reduce the amount of time each patient needs to wait in the office. You can check in for your appointment in your car and when the staff are ready for you, you can go directly to your treatment room.
Even though we are living in times of uncertainty, you don’t need to ditch going to the dentist. Your dental office is doing everything they can so that you can still prioritize your oral health while keeping yourself and your family safe. If you have any questions or concerns, your dentist will be happy to speak with you about the measures being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
About the Practice
At Beck Dental Care, Dr. Victor Beck Jr., Dr. Matthew Hart, Dr. Kyle Williams, and Dr. Philip Matthews are committing to the safety of their patients. They are taking 25 additional steps to ensure that their office is as safe as possible and exceeds all CDC, OSHA, and ADA guidelines for dental practices. For more information about new safety precautions in dentistry, visit their website or call (931) 388-8452.