The state of Florida is in Phase 2 of its reopening plan and things are looking better than what they were a few weeks back.
The ADA or The American Dental Association recently released guidelines on reopening the dental practices. This was in the form of a toolkit, which was developed on the basis of the work done by ADA’s Advisory Task Force.
This would focus on the short-term management of the dental practices in Florida during the COVID pandemic as providers gradually return to non-emergent care. It included resources like staff protection strategies, a customizable letter to patients, a chairside checklist for working, post-procedure patient exit, and more.
The ADA has issued guidelines for implementing the COVID hazard assessments in dental offices that can be used to mitigate risk.
The ADA and FDA have continued to provide important updates and other information through different communications to help the dentists and other officials to make it easier and safer for residents in Florida to get their dental issues fixed.
How has post-lockdown life been for a dentist in Miramar FL?
Recently, Dr. Katie Champion was interviewed and she outlined how different her dental practices have been before and after COVID lockdown.
According to Dr. Champion, “it just doesn’t feel the same”. She is an associate dentist in Miramar FL and she is renowned for her friendly behavior and the way she conducts the dental sessions while also taking care of her patient’s overall health.
Covering her face for protection with a mask and face shield is one of the changes that her practice has implemented since her clinic reopened. Since reopening, their dental clinic is also regularly checking temperatures and asking patients to patiently wait in their cars until they are called for their appointment.
The first few days back after lockdown were a bit nerve-wracking according to Dr. Champion, for not just her but everyone involved with the clinic. She said, “I wanted to be sure we were all doing our best to keep the office disinfected and a safe environment for everyone. We are utilizing air purifiers in each operatory and one in the waiting room to help prevent the spread of infection from aerosols”.
Every day, the dental clinic team has to meet and discuss finding better and safer ways to better serve their staff as well as the patients while making it safe for people to visit the clinic.
Dr. Champion said, “No one in our team is shy about speaking up for change if it seems warranted.”
Out of the different changes made, not being able to show her face to her patients and not being able to shake the patient’s hand has been two challenges that she’d love to get overcome. For now, Dr. Champion and other dentists will have to settle on conveying her concern and expressions for each patient through eyes.