Coronavirus: Am I safe at the Dentist?
Coronavirus has made us rethink the risks that we take in our everyday activities that can expose us to infections.
In dentistry, we have been dealing with the prevention of the spread of infectious disease long before the current crisis.
With the added safety precautions that we are currently undertaking it is safe to visit the dentist!
Let's have a look at the steps that we take to keep you safe...
In dentistry, we have been dealing with the prevention of the spread of infectious disease long before the current crisis.
With the added safety precautions that we are currently undertaking it is safe to visit the dentist!
Let's have a look at the steps that we take to keep you safe...
"Usual" Infection Control
Coronavirus is the latest infection to present a risk of infection to staff and patients in dentistry, but it certainly is not the first.
Dentistry has been preventing the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis, influenza and HIV for longer than I have even been a dentist.
We are obsessed everyday with the sterilization of our equipment to keep our patients and team safe.
We take sterilization so seriously we have an entire room dedicated to it!
Dentistry has been preventing the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis, influenza and HIV for longer than I have even been a dentist.
We are obsessed everyday with the sterilization of our equipment to keep our patients and team safe.
We take sterilization so seriously we have an entire room dedicated to it!
There are specific infection control guidelines for dentistry and we have always met or exceeded these standards.
These guidelines include:
These guidelines include:
- Using an Autoclave to sterilise all dental equipment between every patient
- Using disposable items where is it not possible to effectively sterilize and item
- Using protective equipment such as gloves, masks and eye protection
- Good Hand Hygiene (washing our hands between every patient)
- Cleaning treatment rooms before and after each patient
- Putting physical barriers in place on dental equipment (items have layer of plastic on them which is removed after every patient)
- Safe handling and disposing of contaminated waste and sharps
"Extra" Infection Control
Coronavirus is not like most other infections which is why it is spreading through countries as quickly as it is.
So in addition to our "usual" infection control we have taken on extra infection control procedures to prevent the spread of this infection.
So in addition to our "usual" infection control we have taken on extra infection control procedures to prevent the spread of this infection.
The extra infection control procedures that you will see at Clubb Dental include:
- Screening all patients before their appointment
- Hand sanitizer is available for everyone to use at the front desk
- Patients are asked not to bring extra family member to their appointment to help us maintain social distancing in the reception area
- Patients are asked to use a disinfecting mouthwash prior to any procedure.
- All surfaces are wiped down between patients including door handles, eftpos machines anything a patient it likely to touch
Coronavirus Resitrictions
All Australian dentists are currently operating under level 1 restrictions as given by the Australian Government and the Australian Dental Association (ADA)
What this means is that we can offer a full range of dental treatments to any patient who reasonably believes that they are Coronavirus free:
1. You have not under a current order to quarantine
2. You have not come in contact with any person suspected of having Coronavirus within the last 14 days
3. You are not experiencing any symptoms such as
* Cough
* Fever
* Shortness on breath
We continue to keep up to date with the latest developments regarding Coronavirus and will continue to err on the side of safety for the protection of our patients and our team.
What this means is that we can offer a full range of dental treatments to any patient who reasonably believes that they are Coronavirus free:
1. You have not under a current order to quarantine
2. You have not come in contact with any person suspected of having Coronavirus within the last 14 days
3. You are not experiencing any symptoms such as
* Cough
* Fever
* Shortness on breath
We continue to keep up to date with the latest developments regarding Coronavirus and will continue to err on the side of safety for the protection of our patients and our team.
If you have any questions regarding your safety when visiting the dentist please give us a call or send us a message.
