Why the Dental Office Is the Safest Place to be Right Now

In March, our lives were turned upside down as the novel COVID-19 virus spread into a worldwide pandemic. Thankfully, infection control measures like wearing a face covering and practicing social distancing have made the transition out of quarantine and into our “new normal” feasible. However, many patients are continuing to put off their routine dental appointments due to fear of exposure. With this in mind, a dentist in Somerville, NJ is sharing why the dental office is the safest place to be right now.

What Does the Research Say?

At the start of the pandemic, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged the public to follow the stay-at-home orders to limit the transmission of the Coronavirus. Fortunately, researchers at MIT used the past six months to study which businesses are safe to frequent during the pandemic by considering metrics like necessity, crowdedness, and safety. In the ‘Proceeding of the National Academy of Science,’ they reported which businesses were the safest and dental offices made the top three (along with banks and colleges). So, the extensive safety and sanitation measures they have in place are working to protect each patient at their appointment!

6 Safety Measures That Keep You Safe

Long before 2020, your dental team took extensive measures to follow rigorous sanitation standards put in place by the CDC and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. However, in light of the current pandemic, dentists across the U.S. are implementing additional infection control practices. Here are six you can expect at your next appointment:

• Social distancing guidelines (i.e., virtual waiting rooms, contactless greetings, etc.).
• Additional personal protective equipment (i.e., face shields, disposable coats, etc.).
• Extensive sanitation protocols (i.e., cleaning after each appointment, placing hand sanitizing stations throughout the office, etc.).
• Daily health checks (i.e., screening questionnaires, no-contact temperature checks, etc.).
• Spaced-out appointment options to reduce foot traffic in and out of the office.
• No communal activities (i.e., toy chests, magazines, etc.).

Steering through life in a global pandemic can be anxiety-inducing. Fortunately, the extensive measures your dental office is implementing are working to keep you safe! That way, you can get the dental care you need without compromising your peace of mind!

About the Author

After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Miami and Fairleigh Dickenson University, Dr. DawnMarie DiGrazia earned her D.M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. For the past nearly two decades, she has lived out her passion for helping patients regain their confidence with beautiful smiles and pristine oral health at Somerset Dental Arts. If you are overdue for your biannual appointment, visit her website or give her a call at 908-722-2999.