Dental practices have always had rigorous hygiene and sanitation standards. Their number-one goal is to give you the care that you need a safe environment. Now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, practices are even more rigorous about sterilization and hygiene. If you have a dental emergency during the pandemic, don’t panic. The dental office is one of the safest places you can be. Read on to learn more about how dental teams are practicing hand hygiene during the pandemic from your dentist in State College.
Handwashing Technique
Even during normal times, dental practices adhere to strict CDC guidelines about handwashing. To protect your health during COVID-19, they are taking these practices to the next level. Handwashing is vital for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Dentists and their teams are constantly cleaning their hands with soap and water, antimicrobial soaps, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. They make sure to completely clean their hands:
- Before and after each interaction with a patient, including gloved and non-gloved contact
- Each time they are about to leave a dental operatory
- Any time they touch a used object
They also make sure to wear protective gloves while sterilizing equipment so that you can be sure that every tool and surface is completely sterile.
The Hands Themselves
Handwashing is a critical part of practicing good hand hygiene, but it doesn’t account for all of it. The hands themselves need to be taken care of to protect patients. Dental practitioners make sure that their nails are trimmed to about one-quarter of an inch and filed to avoid any poking or cutting while working on a patient. This helps to prevent the spread of bacteria that could be caught under longer nails. They also make sure that they are free of any rashes, ulcers, or other conditions that could be harmful to a patient.
Hand hygiene is critical both in the dental office and in everyday life. Your dental team takes pride in keeping themselves clean to keep you safe. Be sure to practice good hand hygiene daily and you’ll help limit the spread of disease.
About the Author
Dr. Donald Marks takes hygiene very seriously. He strives to make his office the absolute safest it can be. He attended both undergrad and dental school at the University of Pittsburgh and quickly knew that dentistry was the right choice for him. He loves the artistry and science of being able to change lives through his dental practice. He has spent decades continuing his education and has been mentored by esteemed doctors like Dr. Ron Nevins and Dr. Frank Spear. When patients come to his office, they know that they’re in good hands. If you’d like to know more about how his team can keep you safe, give them a call at (814) 826-3767 or send them an email. They’ll be happy to help you.
