Dental Offices Stay Open Amid COVID-19 Resurgence
While COVID-19 cases are on the rise, dental offices across the U.S. will not quiver and run away from the virus. Many US states are allowing dental offices to continue operations after months of being restricted from providing routine dental service.
Press Release (ePRNews.com) - Las Vegas, NV - Jul 31, 2020 - Nevada is one of the 40 US states that is permitting dental offices to fully re-open and provide services beyond emergency care. In March, the state ordered a shutdown of dental offices for routine services like cleanings, fillings, and crowns. This changed in May when dental offices across the state were allowed to resume their routine procedures. However, not all dental offices have chosen to take advantage of this opportunity. This is partially due to some offices having difficulty maintaining ample supplies of protective gear (or PPE’s) and may also be due to apprehension about the contamination risks involved with re-opening.
On the other hand, some dental offices were happy to fully re-open with routine services to help their patients continue to maintain their oral health. One of these providers is Functional Aesthetic Dentistry in Las Vegas, NV. After careful analysis of the risks involved with re-opening and the essential nature of routine dental care, this dental office is taking all of the needed precautions to help ensure the safety of both their patients and staff. However, following safety protocol is making routine visits not quite so routine for all involved. Patients can expect some unconventional changes.
The first difference in current practices compared to pre-pandemic levels is that patients will receive a phone call 1-2 days prior to their scheduled appointment during which they will be verbally screened for symptoms of COVID-19. If they have no symptoms, they will be asked to remain in their vehicles once they arrive at the dental office. A staff member will then meet them outside to check their temperature and ensure they are still asymptomatic. In addition to these precautions, all staff members will be wearing M3 N95 masks, face plates, and sterile jackets or gowns to be swapped out between patients. This dental office is also spacing appointments so that staff members have plenty of time to sanitize exam rooms, waiting rooms, and bathrooms thoroughly between patients. It’s also quite possible that in some dental practices, patients will be asked to leave their appointment via a back door to comply with social distancing.
Functional Aesthetic Dentistry wants their patients to know that they are not taking their full re-opening lightly. They understand there are associated risks and are going above and beyond CDC guidelines for preserving the safety of everyone they serve, as well as those who are on the front line serving them. Not all of their patients have chosen to venture out for dental care during the pandemic, but those who have are relieved that they no longer have to postpone essential routine dental care.
About Functional Aesthetic Dentistry, Las Vegas, NV:
To learn more about this Nevada dental office, visit their website or you can talk direct with Dr. Suffoletta when you visit “The Dental Hour with Dr. Suffoletta”.
