The coronavirus epidemic, which has affected the world, is not over yet, the risks continue for everyone. During the partial quarantine process implemented in our country since March, many of us suspended our routine hospital and doctor visits due to the risks of COVID-19. Physicians also reduced the frequency of visits, especially since dental treatments concerned the face and mouth area, which is a direct risk area. However, these days as we adapt to the new normal, dental checks and dental treatments that have been disrupted now need to be done.
In accordance with the COVID-19 rules published by the TR Ministry of Health and the coronavirus prevention measures announced by the Istanbul Chamber of Dentists, dental clinics started to see regular patients.
In this article, we will examine what precautions dentists take in their clinics and what precautions you should take when you go to your dental examination or treatment appointment.
First of all, it is recommended that the companions wait outside if the patients do not have a situation that prevents them from being examined alone. Patients and their relatives should follow the social distance and hygiene rules when coming to the clinic and in the clinic. If you are going for a dental check-up:
• Arrive at your appointment alone and on time. (Single companion for pediatric patients)
• Come to your appointment with your mask on and do not remove your mask under any circumstances, except for intraoral examination.
• Do not touch your eyes, mouth and nose with your hands.
• Do not make close contact such as handshaking or hugging.
• Be sure to wear shoe covers on your feet.
• In case of contact, wash your hands and face according to the 20-second rule.
• Maintain social distance if you have to wait in waiting rooms.
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with the inside of your elbow or a disposable tissue paper without removing your mask.
• Do not leave your personal belongings (Bag, Cell phone, Keychain, etc.) on contact surfaces such as sofas or coffee tables.
The rules applied by dentists and clinics that accept patients are as follows:
While the patient is admitted to the clinic,
• His temperature is measured
• He is asked to disinfect his hands
• The COVID19 anamnesis form is filled and signed
• The patient is admitted to the clinic with a mask
In the clinic,
• Everyone entering the clinic should wear a mask and overshoes. Gloves should also be given to the patient and companion, or hands should be disinfected with alcohol-based disinfectants.
• Seats in the waiting room should be as few as possible (2-3 at most) and at least 1.5 meters apart.
• Plastic or leather should be preferred for the seats in the waiting room.
• There should be absolutely no carpet in the waiting room, and no common items such as magazines and newspapers should be kept.
• There should be no automatic water, tea or coffee supplies kept for catering purposes.
• Objects that will affect the general cleaning, such as ornaments, trinkets and toys, should be removed from the environment.
• Patient records and consent forms should be filled in the examination room.
• The environment must be ventilated.
What Are We Doing For You?
As White And Smiles, we prioritize the health of both our clinical staff and you, our valued patients, with our experienced team of more than 20 years. Before we make an appointment with our patients, we do triage over the phone in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Health, we do not make appointments for our patients with complaints similar to COVID19. If the patient does not have any symptoms, we determine our appointments with a preliminary telephone interview in accordance with his complaints.
Before each examination, our physicians disinfect their hands and prepare for the examination with gowns, bonnets, masks, visors and gloves.
We repeat the cleaning and disinfection processes of the examination room and surrounding surfaces among our patients so that you can have your examination and treatment in the most hygienic and safe conditions.
Our physicians sterilize all used instruments (such as reflector arm, x-ray arm, saliva ejector socket, water spray area of rotating instruments) in accordance with the rules, and instruments that cannot be sterilized are disposed of according to medical waste rules.
References :
https://covid19bilgi.saglik.gov.tr/depo/efekt-kontorl-onlemleri/COVID19-DentalIslemlerinUyulmasiGerekenEfektKontrolOnlemleri.pdf
http://www.ido.org.tr/userfiles/files/oneriimize.pdf
www.ido.org.tr/userfiles/files/Hasta_Tedavisi_Sunum_06.pdf
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