Due to the very real risk of COVID-19 to staff and patients, dental practices should implement additional infectious control protocols. These extra measures are necessary to protect the health of the public and frontline workers. If you need oral health treatment, it is important to feel safe and comfortable before, during and after your appointment.
There are several practices that can mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19. Each dental practice may also take a different approach to infectious disease control. As the patient, you have the right to know that steps have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
Infectious Disease Control Recommendations
Organizations such as the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have issued guidelines for dental practices to follow. These recommendations are updated as new information on how the virus spreads becomes available.
At Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta, we are committed to following official guidelines on infectious disease control during the pandemic. The health of our employees and patients are a top priority. We exercise extreme caution in every patient interaction to safeguard the welfare of every person who visits our offices.
Personal Protective Equipment
The personal protective equipment (PPE) used at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta is sourced from the American Dental Association. The recommendations on PPE in a dental setting are based on the latest available data. As we learn more about the virus, our offices may increase or decrease the use of certain equipment.
Patients can ask about the personal protective equipment used by the dentistry professionals at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta. Your health and comfort is our main concern. All equipment is sanitized and used in line with guidelines that are designed to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
COVID-19 Training
The team at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta has received additional training on navigating patient interactions and treatment. The pandemic has resulted in ever-changing circumstances that increase the need for vigilance. Where new information indicates ways to further reduce the risk of transmission, we will update our staff training.
Reassuring, guiding and protecting patients are major considerations in our approach to training. We understand that patients look to our team for comfort and direction. During these times of heightened anxiety, patients can expect to be treated with compassion and understanding at our offices.
Essential & Emergency Dentistry
The kind of services that dentists offer during the pandemic should be limited to essential and emergency treatments. This may cause confusion for some patients, so it is essential that the practice clearly communicates which treatments are available. If you are suffering from pain or discomfort due to an oral health problem, do not hesitate to call our offices.
Cosmetic and elective treatments such as implants and bridges are not generally considered essential. We recommend that patients contact our offices if they are in any doubt about treatment needs. Dentists can use discretion when deciding whether or not treatment is necessary in accordance with official recommendations.
Pre-Appointment Screening
Pre-screening is an essential part of ensuring that our Atlanta practice is a safe environment for all. Patients will receive a communication from our team prior to any appointment. Screening questions are asked during this conversation, and again when you arrive at our offices.
Each patient will have their temperature taken when they arrive for a scheduled appointment. These additional precautions help Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta to keep our offices free of infection. If you have any objection to having your temperature checked and potentially not qualifying for treatment, please let our team know prior to attending your appointment.
Sanitizer Provision
When patients arrive at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta, we encourage the use of hand sanitizer which is provided at our offices. This practice is an essential factor in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Hand washing is an effective way to slow down the spread of viruses. We recommend that patients wash their hands before brushing and flossing. Carrying hand sanitizer with you everywhere for frequent use will also increase your protection against contracting the virus via touch.
Reducing Contact Risk (items)
The hands are a contact risk when it comes to COVID-19. Touching potentially infected surfaces or items can rapidly spread the virus in a busy environment. It is for this reason that Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta will not supply magazines in our waiting area. These items are difficult to sanitize and actively encourage touch.
As part of a broader effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, our team will endeavor to remove any items that are not necessary to treatment and comfort. Any items that patients or employees do come into contact with are regularly sanitized.
Limited Persons In-Office
We understand that many of our patients prefer to bring a friend or family member to dental appointments for support. However, our policy during the pandemic is focused on reducing risk. That means controlling the number of persons in our offices at any given time.
If you do need someone to accompany you to our Atlanta offices, we ask that the person in question waits in the car. Our team will strive to accommodate the needs of each patient on a case-by-case basis. If you have any further questions about our appointment protocols, do not hesitate to call.
Managed Scheduling
Social distancing will help our dental practice further reduce the risk of transmission. Managed scheduling can ensure that too many are not visiting our offices at any given time. This protocol and the other measures Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta are taking have made our practice busier than ever.
It is therefore important for patients to call right away if they suspect essential or emergency dentistry is needed. Our social distancing practices will help in the efforts to save lives, but it also means we cannot see as many patients as we would like within our usual timeframe.
Mask Recommendation
Masks are recommended when you attend your appointment. We ask that patients continue to wear a mask until one of our team provides additional guidance related to treatment. The purpose of wearing a mask or facial covering is to prevent the spread of water droplets that can carry the virus.
If you have any concerns about wearing a mask during your appointment, speak to a member of our team. We will do everything that we can to ensure that all patients and staff are safe and comfortable.
Dental Consultation
While we try to avoid unnecessary interactions with patients while the virus is still spreading, consultation with our dental professionals is still an option. There are several ways we can assess patient treatment needs. A phone call is an effective way for Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta to determine if patients should make the trip to our offices.
If treatment is not deemed essential, Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta will not leave patients without support. We will recommend out-of-office treatments while restrictions on treatment options apply.
Call Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta today if you would like to know more about what we are doing to keep our offices a safe and welcoming space for patients.
