How Dental Offices Are Preparing To Open Up After The Covid 19 Shut Down




                                     connect with ALL THE DENTAL THINGS





~Although this will undoubtedly change some things in our offices please don't forget that "standard precautions" have always been our way of practicing for a reason. This crisis has been a wake up call/ reminder that we can and should do better! ~ Katie RDH


This is uncharted territory for EVERYONE! I haven't seen one person who seems to have a total handle on what is going on and what we can expect moving forward.

At this point in time some people are trying to be a little too optimistic and others are stuck in a doom and gloom cycle. I find myself in some kind of rotation between the two extremes in what I am now calling CV19 induced bipolar disorder. (This is pretty much effected every part of my life... I love homeschooling my kids...5 minutes later... I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!)

So now we wait for the all clear to reopen our practices. There is even confusion as to who that all clear will come from. It seems that most will feel comfortable once the Governor of each state gives clearance. I do think that the CDC and ADA should be giving recommendations but we now have confirmation of their snail like response in a crisis situation specifically pertaining to dentistry so most likely no one will be waiting around for their approval.



What we were doing prior to this outbreak seemed somewhat effective evidenced by the fact that we aren't seeing an unusual proportion of the COVID19 cases effecting dental professionals. Below is a list of things I have seen offices implementing as a way to get ready for reopening and protecting themselves, team members and patients in the process.
Hopefully OSHA will release a list in the near future.


Check back often as I will continuously add to this post:


  • Upgrading PPE: masks, face shields,gowns...possibly disposable gowns, booties, surgical caps
  • Revisiting "standard precautions" and implementing "secondary precautions" = used when dealing with highly contagious situations https://bit.ly/2RJjHxC
  • Clinicians wearing PPE (mask and eye protection) during pre treatment conversations with patients
  • Disinfect chair
  • Disinfect bathroom
  • Subtle but ongoing disinfection activities
  • Street clothes and shoes worn in and out of the office
    • scrubs, lab coats laundered at office and work shoes stay at the office
  • Updating health history forms and screening questions/ protocol
    • ask about acute illness, COVID exposure and travel history
  • Taking temperatures prior to bringing back for treatment with contactless thermometer
  • Pre rinse with hydrogen peroxide
  • Staggering appointments
  • Airing out ops between use to allow recommended time for disinfecting chemicals to work
  • Hand sanitizer placed throughout office
  • Improving isolation techniques
  • Investigating air filtration systems
  • Reducing time in the office for patients
  • Limited time/people in waiting room
    • patients are called in from car when op is ready
    • no companions or escorts
  • Reducing contact with front office team
    • updating payment methods/options
    • plexiglas to protect front office employees
  • Reducing touch surfaces
    • removing magazines
    • messaging patients to bring reading material with them if they want to
  • Extending scheduled time for appointments
  • Utilizing teledentistry
  • Webinars and CE's focused on COVID19
  • Preparing emails for patients with updates so they know it is being taken seriously
  • Weekly team meetings via Zoom, Google Meeting or Facebook to address concerns and plan
  • Talking to reps from dental supply companies to order supplies and look for alternative sources if needed
OTHER THOUGHTS TO PONDER
  • lead aprons can't be properly disinfected and aren't required in Oregon
  • disposable gowns and surgical caps available for patients
  • Dental treatment COVID19 consent form



~additional information, links and pictures~



  • many are talking about switching to N95 masks
    • most are reporting they are very difficult to breathe through N95 masks are hard to get a hold of right now but many offices are having success ordering from companies that 3D print




  • Faceshields:  to be used to protect against aerosol 
  • Gowns & Lab Coats- long and with a collar, but good luck finding them right now
Unfortunately this was the message I was getting from numerous sites just while researching options





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