Guidelines for reopening dental offices
The Covid-19 virus has created a crisis across the world. Almost every country has been affected with communities and economies feeling the brunt. Health clinics to have been severely affected with many experiencing complete shutdowns in some places.
Dental offices are also among those affected and many remain closed. This may have disastrous consequences in the long term as oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health.
As many clinics including dental offices plan to reopen, guidelines have been recommended for inclusion in clinics’ own protocols, as applicable. These guidelines will help practices with their ‘soft launches’ and would need to be adapted to suit the ‘new future’ as practices return to their full schedules.
Some factors each dental office needs to consider in deciding when to reopen:
State regulations, practice location
Outbreak significance in the area
Emergency dentistry provided
Dental team health
Employee availability
Some extra measures reopening offices will need to take to ensure the safety of patients and staff:
Patient communication especially regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment
Stagger patients without stacking appointments
Explain safety policies during phone appointment confirmation calls.
Check-in patients via phone. Call them in after the previous patient has left and the work areas have been sanitized.
Restrict office entry to patients.
Remove non-essential items from the office.
Accept dental supply deliveries outside and sanitize them.
Check patients’ temperatures at the entrance.
Click Here to read more on guidelines for dental offices that plan to reopen.
