COVID-19, the New Normality
The
global pandemic “COVID-19” has brought every nation on its knees. The
“COVID-19 New normality” is becoming our lives, gradually. Quarantined
for several months, life is finally getting back to dental clinics on
its track with SOP’s mentioned by government.
The need for protection and hygiene at dental clinics are higher than
ever. Strict guidelines must be followed in order to protect dentist and
patients from getting infected.
In a dental clinic, it is inevitable to be exposed to the virus
directly while carrying out procedures and treatments. For this purpose,
disinfection is the key.
In this blog, we’ll show you the necessary tools and equipment you
need to protect yourself and your patients from getting infected.
The
global pandemic “COVID-19” has brought every nation on its knees. The
“COVID-19 New normality” is becoming our lives, gradually. Quarantined
for several months, life is finally getting back to dental clinics on
its track with SOP’s mentioned by government.
The need for protection and hygiene at dental clinics are higher than
ever. Strict guidelines must be followed in order to protect dentist and
patients from getting infected.
In a dental clinic, it is inevitable to be exposed to the virus
directly while carrying out procedures and treatments. For this purpose,
disinfection is the key.
In this blog, we’ll show you the necessary tools and equipment you
need to protect yourself and your patients from getting infected.
Understand how it works?
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is spread through secretions such as sneezing, coughing etc. of infected people. The general guidance given by WHO suggest to follow them routinely to stop spread of virus in dental clinics. Those guidelines include:
- Use Surgical/FFP2 masks, changed every two hours.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after attending to a patient
- Wear eye and face protection shields, gloves, and gowns while attending the patient
- Disinfect all the work surface with a good disinfectant and on daily basis
- Check the temperature of patients before admitting them, if temperature is above 37.3°C, the treatment should be postponed for the suggested quarantine period of 14 days.
- Patients are required to wear mask at all times in clinic, and are to apply hydro alcoholic gel (that is provided by clinic) to disinfect themselves.
- Dental chair shall have a disposable cover to be disposed of every day.
- Patients are advised to not use toilets. However, it is highly recommended to keep toilet clean as it is one of the biggest spots for virus containment.
- The patient is required to wear gloves, disposable cap on head, and not touch anything in the clinic.
- At the end of appointment, patient must remove disposable cap and gown, along with gloves and throw them in trash can set aside especially for this purpose.
- Try to pay by card, or use gloves while taking money and keep it away from your wallet, preferably in another pocket.
Protective Gear
Surgical or disposable masks
Dentists are at high risk of infection during the working day; it is
therefore, recommended to use FFP2 masks with filter, as they have
high-efficiency of filtering and will protect viruses and bacteria from
entering into your system. FFP2 masks are recommended when the distance
is less than 1 meter between dentist and patients. In close encounters,
surgical masks are recommended for high filtration and should be changed
regularly.
Dentists are at high risk of infection during the working day; it is
therefore, recommended to use FFP2 masks with filter, as they have
high-efficiency of filtering and will protect viruses and bacteria from
entering into your system. FFP2 masks are recommended when the distance
is less than 1 meter between dentist and patients. In close encounters,
surgical masks are recommended for high filtration and should be changed
regularly.
Disposable gloves
Disposable gloves help avoid cross-contamination. Nitrile or latex
gloves must be changed hourly as they lose their protective barrier
after that.
Disposable gloves help avoid cross-contamination. Nitrile or latex
gloves must be changed hourly as they lose their protective barrier
after that.
Disposable overalls and gowns
Long-sleeved overalls and gowns offer protection for arms, legs, and
entire back and front. They can be easily worn over your clothes.
Long-sleeved overalls and gowns offer protection for arms, legs, and
entire back and front. They can be easily worn over your clothes.
Face shields
Face shields provide protection from the particles and splashes from outside. They can be cleaned and disinfected easily.
Face shields provide protection from the particles and splashes from outside. They can be cleaned and disinfected easily.
Disposable caps
Disposable caps help improve hygiene conditions in dental clinic. They
are comfortable and made up of TNT which is elastic, waterproof or
transparent.
Now, that you are aware of the hygiene and protection practices in
dental clinic, in the next part we will discuss how to sterilize and
protect your dental instruments and what are some of the best
sterilization trays available in market.
Disposable caps help improve hygiene conditions in dental clinic. They
are comfortable and made up of TNT which is elastic, waterproof or
transparent.
Now, that you are aware of the hygiene and protection practices in
dental clinic, in the next part we will discuss how to sterilize and
protect your dental instruments and what are some of the best
sterilization trays available in market.