How Is Your Emergency Dentist Keeping Patients Safe During COVID-19?

Just last month, the American Dental Association released a statement recommending that all dentists suspend elective procedures and close their doors for treatments except for emergency care. This way, local ERs wouldn’t become overrun with traditional medical emergencies, COVID-19 patients, and dental problems as well. Your dentist in Wall Township is dedicated to keeping their team as well as their patients safe and practicing CDC standard precautions. Read on to learn what they’re doing to prevent the spread of infection.

Employees & Staff Stay Home if They’re Sick

Keeping patients safe means also keeping the staff protected and healthy. To do this, your dentist is encouraging their team members to stay home if they’re exhibiting any cold-like symptoms, fever, or respiratory illness that could be a sign of COVID-19 infection. They’re implementing sick leave policies that encourage and allow staff to remain at home during any time they’re feeling ill.

Limit Traffic With Emergency-Only Care

As stated above, dentists across the nation have postponed all elective treatments, including cosmetic, restorative, and preventive care.  This is in an effort to slow the spread of infection of COVID-19 and make sure that local emergency rooms don’t become flooded and overwhelmed with even more patients than they’re able to handle. By taking this burden off of their shoulders, they’re able to provide patients with dental emergencies the fast, effective, and thorough care that they deserve while limiting their exposure to any illnesses found in hospitals.

Take CDC-Compliant Precautions Around The Office

The CDC has issued a list of standard precautions to minimize the spread of infection around homes and business offices everywhere. Your dentist in Wall Township is implementing these as well as additional preventive measures, including:

• Frequent and thorough handwashing.
• Sanitizing all surfaces, tools, and objects around the office thoroughly.
• Practicing respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
• Safe injection practices.

While these are only a few of the precautionary measures being taken, you can rest assured that every item that will be used or come near you will be completely sanitized.

Contacting Patients Prior To Their Appointment

Before patients’ scheduled appointments, your dentist will contact them to conduct a quick screening for any signs of respiratory illness. If a patient does show possible signs, they will follow up with their local medical professionals to determine which facilities will be best for them to receive treatment. The CDC has stated that patients who have allowed at least three days to pass since their two weeks of home-isolation prior to experiencing symptoms may receive emergency dental care.  

Taking Necessary Actions While Treating a Patient With COVID-19

For patients who are either suspected to have COVID-19 or who have been diagnosed in the past, your dentist is also taking extra precautionary measures to prevent the spread of droplets when they visit the office. To do this, they’re:

• Providing a mask to cover their nose and mouth.
• Referring the patient to a medical facility if they’re experiencing serious symptoms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting the room after their treatment, according to CDC guidelines.

Although these unsure times can feel daunting and scary, you can rest assured that when you visit your emergency dentist in Wall Township, you’ll receive the highest quality of care without putting your health in jeopardy. Emergency dental teams take the threat of COVID-19 incredibly seriously and are constantly taking preventive measures to protect themselves, as well as their patients, from infection.

About the Author

Dr. Jason Aptaker has been providing thorough and pain-relieving emergency dental care for years. He takes the time to help his patients feel relaxed and comfortable when they sit down in the treatment chair, because he knows just how stressful an unexpected dental situation can be. For questions or to schedule an emergency appointment, visit Shore Points General and Implant Dentistry’s website or call 732-223-9199.