Dental offices across the country are re-opening this month with a whole new look… Martian-style! As a pediatric dentist and mom of four kids, I looked at these changes from a child’s perspective so that I could be more understanding and try to imagine what kids must be thinking nowadays when they enter a dental office. Then I realized that our new “look” may be shocking for parents as well. But if you take a moment to understand what dental teams are doing, and why we are doing it, you can appreciate how much your dental community cares about helping you and your family receive dental care in the safest possible way.
Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants and even some Dental Office Staff are now suiting up for work with multiple layers of masks, shields, gloves, gowns, hair coverings and more. We are following OSHA and CDC protocols to help keep our patients safe, keep each other safe and keep the community healthy and safe.
Here are some of the things you may see at you or your child’s next dental visit…
• Temperature Checks, COVID Screenings, Face Coverings and A LOT of Hand Sanitizer – In order to reduce the risk of a COVID-positive person entering a dental clinic, the American Dental Association has created a “Patient Screening Form” that is used BEFORE the patient enters the office. This can be done on the phone or at your car when you pull up for your appointment or in the vestibule of the office. Your temperature will also be checked and the cutoff is 100.4F. Hand sanitizer may be offered to you before coming into the building or you may be asked to stop and wash your hands. Many dental offices are also requiring face coverings for patients to help limit the potential for airborne virus – spread from asymptomatic patients. These do not need to be medical-grade masks and can be as simple as a home-made paper-towel or cloth face cover.
• Personal Protective Equipment for Dental Staff – Are you wondering why the dental office is suddenly so chilly? Bring a sweater or a parka to your next dental visit because the air conditioning may be set to “Ice Age” in order to keep the dental staff reasonably cool inside their waterproof, antimicrobial gowns. With multiple layers of face-protection including N-95 Style Respirators, it is difficult to not fog up if the room temperature gets balmy.
• Hand Washing, Face Coverings, Social Distancing – Take a cue from medical and dental professionals and increase the frequency of your own handwashing. Take every opportunity you can to decrease the potential for virus transmission by wearing a face cover when you are in public and around other people outside of your household. And be aware of the need to practice social distancing even during lunch breaks at work. Heighten your awareness of everything you can do to help reduce the spread of the virus.
Remember, even if you can’t see our smile, it’s still there! We may look like Martians or little Dental Darth Vaders, but we are doing this to protect You, Your Child, Our Children, our Co-Workers, and Our Community! We are here to help your child with a lifetime of healthy smiles, now, and in the future!
-by Dr. Mandy Ashley, DMD, MsEd, MS
About the Author: Dr. Mandy Ashley, DMD, MsEd, MS is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and founder of SKY Pediatric Dentistry. SKY Pediatric Dentistry has locations at 234 Natchez Trace in Bowling Green, 280 Burley Ave. in Hopkinsville and our NEWEST LOCATION in Glasgow. With experience and compassion, Dr. Mandy Ashley, her partner Dr. Madison Galloway and the SKY team provide modern, fun dental care for all children as well as adults with special needs.
SKY Pediatric Dentistry is OPEN and safely providing dental care for kids and adults with special needs during the COVID CRISIS.
You can visit the website www.skypediatricdentistry.com, check us out on Facebook, email info@skypediatricdentistry.com or call 270-715-5437 for more information on the practice and to schedule an appointment for when we reopen. We are looking forward to seeing you all again SOON!
