Around the time COVID-19 cases began to rise in the United States, dentistry was named one of the most at-risk professions due to the nature of the job.
Dental practices across the nation had to close their doors and only offer emergency dental care.
Then, the American Dental Association… This text opens a new tab to the ADA website… and Center for Disease Control and Prevention… This text opens a new tab to the CDC website… created new guidelines on infection control that allowed dentists to reopen and resume routine dental care.
But what you really want to know is:
Is it working? Is it safe to go to the dentist during the coronavirus?
You have every right to question whether the systems in place are successfully protecting you from COVID-19, and we’d love to answer them below.
Yes, and here’s proof:
Remember how dentists are considered high risk?
Well…
This study by the ADA reports:
Less than 1% of dentists nationwide are estimated to have a confirmed or probable COVID-19 diagnosis.
That’s far lower than most healthcare professionals – even those who aren’t considered high risk.
Why are dentists reporting low rates of COVID-19?
Chief Science Officer of the ADA, Dr. Marcelo Araujo said,
“This means that what dentists are doing — heightened infection control and increased attention to patient and dental team safety — is working.”
You see:
Dentists are experts in infection control. Masks, gloves, hand hygiene, and sterilization are not new.
You’ll likely recall seeing all these things at your last appointment with our Salt Lake City dentists, no matter how long ago it was.
Dentists are also considered pioneers when it comes to using universal precautions.
This now standardized practice refers to avoiding contact with patients’ bodily fluids – or treating every patient as if they’re infected, so the risk of spreading any possible illness is minimized.
But to combat COVID-19, more protection levels are needed (after all, this is a global pandemic!).
So the CDC and ADA each released guidelines for dental practices, which build upon the existing infection control measures.
If you haven’t already visited your dentist during COVID-19, you may feel like not much has changed. That’s not because dentists aren’t protecting you. In actuality, it’s because they were already protecting you from all types of disease and illness.
At Legacy Dental, you’ll notice things have changed slightly, and that’s because we’ve added extra safety measures on top of the CDC and ADA recommendations. We don’t take your health and safety lightly.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect when visiting our dentists in Salt Lake City, UT:
- No guests, unless you’re a dependent
- Complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire via text before your appointment
- Complete new patient forms online before your appointment
- Check in from your car instead of coming straight to the lobby
- Temperature check upon arrival – this goes for all patients, guests, and staff
- Scheduling, payments, etc. are made in the treatment room instead of the lobby
- Clinical staff wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including face shields and goggles, and office staff wear masks at all times
We’ve also made improvements “behind the scenes” with technology and equipment, including:
- Upgraded air filtration system with the REME HALO® in-duct air purifier, which kills up to 99% of bacteria, mold, and viruses in the air
- Remodeled cabinet units with better-designed surfaces for decontamination and disinfection between patients
- New sterilization area
Legacy Dental is open and safely operating under heightened infection control protocols!
Our SLC dentists are offering all dental services again, including general, cosmetic, restorative, sedation, and emergency dentistry. We’re also accepting new patients of all ages!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Or you can:
We’re proud to serve neighborhoods throughout the Salt Lake City area, including Salt Lake County, Millcreek, East Millcreek, Holladay, Sugarhouse, Murray, Midvale, South Salt Lake, Sandy, Taylorsville, West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, and Herriman.
