As we continue to monitor the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the health and safety of everyone remains important to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. As you have been reading and listening to the news, the information on the virus continues to change frequently.
We’ve outlined below how AAID dentists are responding to this situation, as well as how you, as a patient, can be proactive with your oral health during this time.
Free Download: Top Tips for Dental Health During COVID-19 from AAID experts
AAID Dentists' Current Protocol During COVID-19
AAID dentists are making procedure adjustments and taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of patients and staff. They are closely following The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which has issued infection prevention and control guidance for dentists' offices.
“We are closely following the CDC for updates,” Jasmine Sung, DDS, AFAAID said. “Our team members are highly trained in these protocols and disinfect after every patient. We have practiced all CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards of infection control daily, even prior to this virus.”
“We are not using our waiting room at this time and we're seeing patients at about 2/3 capacity,” said Eric Hopkins DDS, FAAID. “We are building time between patients to allow for no overlapping office exposure and for proper time to clean each room"
The social distancing measures that Dr. Hopkins and his staff have in place are:
- Locking the front door at all times
- Having patients call or text from their car to be allowed into the office
- Greeting patients at the door with an intake questionnaire and thermometer
- Cleaning operatories twice
- Closing operatories with doors
- Placing sequential patients in different operatories
- Limiting the number of staff who are exposed to each patient
To ease any fears or anxiety his patients might have, Vincent Vella, DDS, FAAID likes to keep things in perspective.
“When I was in dental school in the ‘80s, we were faced with an HIV epidemic. In those days—when you contracted HIV—it was a death sentence. We lived through all of that without much of the protective gear that we have today. So, I tell my patients that yes, this is an infectious disease, but a great number of people recover. Most are not at a high risk of mortality. Personally, I feel confident in treating patients right now. We take all the necessary precautions.”
If you’re considering dental implants in the future, be sure to check the Find an Implant Dentist tool to find an AAID dentist nearest to you. He or she will be happy to schedule a phone or video conference to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Mouth Healthy During COVID-19
Your overall health and your oral health are inextricably linked to each other. And, during this time, it’s best to take precautions.
We put together a short guide for you to proactively protect your pearly whites during COVID-19. Click the button below to download the brochure.
Dentists consulted for this article include: Jasmine Sung, DDS, AFAAID of Houston Southwest Dental Implant Center, in Houston, Texas; Eric Hopkins DDS, FAAID, DABOI/ID of Hopkins Dental Clinic in Shawnee, Oklahoma; Vincent Vella, DDS, FAAID, DABOI/ID of Vincent Vella DDS in Rochester, New York.
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