Lots of time has been lost for dental practitioners, as these practices weren’t listed as essential except if surgery was needed or if patients were in emergency situations. Now that restrictions have eased up for those in the dental industry, clinics are at a loss as to how to reopen and resume operations. How do they pick up from where things were left off? How does the new normal affect the dentistry practice? What can practitioners do in order to maintain safe operations and ensure the health and well-being of themselves, their staff, and their patients?
It may be a lot to take in, but there are a few ways we can pick up the pieces and start over. Here is how we can begin:
- Ensure that you are following all the safety protocols mandated by your local government.
There may be rules that have been implemented for dental practitioners to resume operations. Make sure you are abreast of all these protocols so that you can be confident in case anyone asks how you have resumed and what specific precautions you are taking.
This will give both you, your patients, and your community, the security that you need, and show that you are complying with mandated rules.
- Take necessary steps to clean and disinfect your office and healthcare equipment daily.
Since you are in the business of maximum contact with your patients, make sure that you are taking all the necessary precautions to disinfect and sanitize the premises, as well as your medical instruments. There are technologies available that help make the sanitation and disinfection more streamlined and even more efficient for your needs, compared to using disinfection wipes every time you use your instruments. Technologies at sterifre.com are one example, among others.
- Supply yourself and your employees with the proper personal protective equipment for your needs.
Dealing with the oral cavity can be very tricky, especially in a time when a virus can be transferred via this hot spot. It is important that everyone in your office wears the proper personal protective equipment, and that they are able to sanitize, disinfect, and change it as often as necessary.
- Employ an online scheduling system to restrict the number of people in the clinic at any one time.
If you haven’t already, it may be good to use a scheduling application in order to book your patients on a certain schedule and have them follow this strictly. This is to be able to minimize the number of people that are in the clinic at any one time. In the meantime, you can reduce the number of people waiting in your waiting room so that proper social distancing is still practiced as much as possible.
- Utilize cashless payment options as much as possible.
This may be a simple way to prevent further contamination. If you can, set up a cashless payment option for your clients and have them use this technology. Lessening contact with impurities as much as possible can help maintain a hygienic and safe environment in your dental clinic.
It may not be a walk in the park in the beginning, but it is definitely possible to transition into these best practice routines as we ease our way into the new normal. As you start to reopen, let this be a guide to ensuring a safe environment for you, your staff and your clients.
