Safety is a bigger concern in the dental setting than ever before, and orthodontics is no exception. By now, you’re probably able to schedule appointments with your orthodontist in Columbus again, but you shouldn’t expect your next visit to be like your previous ones. In accordance with recommendations by the CDC and other authorities, orthodontic practices have started adopting a number of additional safety protocols. In this post, you’ll learn about some of the preparations that your orthodontic team have made for your appointment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Hand Sanitizer Will Be Made Available
Hand hygiene is obviously paramount to orthodontists and other specialists who work with people’s mouths, but to limit the potential spread of viruses as much as possible, it’s necessary to enforce such practices among patients as well. Once you’ve arrived at the office, you’ll be asked to use the hand sanitizer provided in order to remove any infectious organisms that you might have brought with you. For your own safety, you’ll need to use it again when you’re about to leave as well.
2. Your Appointment Time Will Be Very Carefully Selected
While your orthodontist wants to help as many people as possible throughout the day, the current environment means it’s important to limit the number of patients in the office at any given time. Appointments are now being scheduled further apart to decrease the chance of patients coming into contact with each other unnecessarily. As an added precaution, you’ll be told not to arrive more than 5 minutes early.
3. Parents Will Need to Wait or Wear a Mask
Most orthodontic patients are children, and that naturally raises the question of what parents should be doing during the procedure. Generally, it’s recommended that after you’ve answered screening questions, you should wait in your car while your little one is treated. It is possible to accompany your child if you think you need to, but you’ll have to wear a mask. Bear in mind that both of you will need to have your temperatures checked at the beginning of the visit.
4. The Orthodontist Will Enforce Safety Among Their Own Team Members
To make sure that everyone at the practice is closely following the appropriate safety measure, your orthodontist might name someone on their team to act as an infection control coordinator, or “safety champion.” This person will make sure the proper procedures for infection control and prevention are followed at all times; you can rest assured that you’ll walk into a practice that’s designed to be as safe and sterile as possible.
Correcting smiles is an important task, but your overall health is still something that needs to be carefully considered at all times, especially during the current pandemic. The next time you call your orthodontist to schedule an adjustment or examination, be sure to ask what changes have taken place so that you can enjoy peace of mind while you’re driving to the practice.
About the Author
Dr. Amin Mason acts as the board-certified orthodontic specialist of the Polaris Orthodontic Center and is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics; he has studied a wide variety of fields and is experienced working with children and adults alike. His practice is now open to accept patients and is completely committed to your safety. To schedule an appointment or ask about new protocols, visit his website or call (614) 781-6990.
