If you did not know how to properly wash your hands before the COVID-19 pandemic, you certainly do now. TV commercials, billboards, radio advertisements, and retail signage is everywhere, explaining why it is important to maintain good personal hygiene. With this now being common knowledge, you might assume that your dentist in DuPont is also following the same guidelines, but how can you know for sure? Before you shy away from making your next appointment, find out just how thorough your dental team is when it comes to keeping themselves clean.
The Importance of Good Personal Hygiene
Working in the healthcare industry requires offices to adhere to the strictest sanitation guidelines, while personnel is expected to maintain good personal hygiene at all times.
While COVID-19 does raise concerns about proper handwashing techniques, a dentist’s cleanliness standards must extend beyond this part of the body. Why? Because during an appointment, a patient remains in close proximity to the dentist and hygienist.
So, what kind of dental safety protocol are they following? Let us take a look:
- Staff should thoroughly wash their body each day from head to toe, as well as pay close attention to their mouth and teeth to ensure all harmful bacteria is removed from the oral cavity.
- To prevent additional germs from entering or leaving the dentist’s office, staff are now required to change into their work clothes when they arrive and change out before they leave.
- Team members will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when taking care of patients (i.e. protective eyewear, gloves, face mask and shield, and a disposable gown). Also, the front desk staff will be required to wear a mask at all times.
- All fingernails will be kept short to avoid germs from accumulating underneath.
- Proper handwashing will occur before and after putting on gloves, caring for a patient, and after touching any surface or object with bare hands.
Tips for Proper Handwashing
Your dental team touches all sorts of things throughout the day. From their car steering wheels to door handles to your teeth, you can understand how easy it can be to spread harmful germs and bacteria. While they will be wearing gloves when providing treatment, you can maintain peace of mind knowing they are following these tips for clean hands:
- Washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
- Thoroughly scrubbing under their nails, along the forearms, and between the fingers
- Using disposable towels to dry their hands completely
- Keeping their nails trimmed to avoid accumulations of dirt and bacteria
- Washing when it is appropriate
It is far too easy to contaminate surfaces and spread harmful bacteria, and your dental team understands this, which is why you can trust that they are making their own personal hygiene a priority.
About the Practice
The team at Dupont Family Dentistry is going above and beyond to follow and even exceed many of the recommended guidelines for protecting against COVID-19. From wearing appropriate personal protective equipment to adhering to proper handwashing techniques, you can feel safe and confident when you schedule your next appointment. If you have questions about the protocols put into place by our dental staff, please contact us at (253) 964-7000. We are here to help!