To say that Covid-19 has completely changed our lives would be an understatement. We have to wear masks and keep people at arm’s length literally. We are advised to only go out when it is necessary and in emergencies while adhering to all the safety precautions. Many people are confused about whether to visit their dentists for routine checkups or not. People, in general, are feeling apprehensive and worrying about their safety at the dental clinic.

But, there is nothing much to worry about because CDA has issued a list of safety protocols that dental clinics need to follow to offer dental care services, be it routine or emergency. Dental clinics in Winchester, VA, are the CDA guidelines to ensure the patients and safety.

Some safety protocols that dental clinics are as follows:

• • Pre-screening: The pre-screening procedure before an appointment is vital as it helps the staff at the dental clinic in determining whether it is safe for an individual to visit the clinic or not. When you call the clinic to book an appointment, you will be asked questions regarding your current health status, if you show any Covid-19 symptoms, and if you have come in contact with any Covid-positive person or not. Therefore, only a healthy person will get a dentist’s appointment.

• • Updated check-in process: Individuals need to wait for their appointments in their vehicles instead of inside the designated waiting area at the clinic, under the new check-in process. This ensures that there is no crowd at the clinic while following social distancing norms. When it is your time to see the dentist, you will receive a text or call. This eliminates the need to inquire at the front desk, and thus, limiting human interaction.

• • Enhanced Sanitization: For the safety of everyone involved, such as patients and clinical staff, dental clinics are to increase sanitization protocols. The dental staff deep cleans and sanitizes all the chairs, tables, door handles, dental equipment, and frequently touched surfaces regularly. Besides, every person that enters the clinic needs to sanitize his or her hands.

• • Wearing protection gear: The clinical staff, particularly the medical team have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Alternatively, dentists and dental hygienists should use a face shield and mask, and gloves alongside a disposable gown. Irrespective of the dental service that a person is visiting the clinic for, protective gear ensures that everyone involved is safe.

At Smiles of Virginia, we follow all the safety precautions, issued by the CDC, to provide our patients with hygienic dental services in the times of Corona. You can contact us to book an appointment with a dentist in Winchester, VA.

It’s a pandemic that is a horror story in itself that this generation can talk about to the upcoming ones.

The global economy was largely shut, humanity walled off, and the number of people affected was on the rise every single day.

But life as we know it can’t be quarantined indefinitely, right? We need our groceries, we need to go and see a dentist when we get a toothache, and we perhaps need a walk in the park too!

But are these activities safe?
Which of these are the safest bets?
That’s exactly what we’re most confused about!

That’s why researchers at MIT have come up with their findings to suggest places that we should avoid during this pandemic and places that are a safe go! Read on to find out if your long-yearned activity is on the green list.

Firstly, it’s important to note that these suggestions have been made while keeping public safety in mind. From a category of 26 businesses, MIT has classified them on the basis of how safe you and everyone around you would be within a particular setting, and if that risk is worth taking. Only those activities that ensure maximum safety to you and are valuable essentials in our lives have been given the green light.

Moving out to hit the gym, café, liquor, or tobacco stores is a bit of a public concern. That’s because these activities are not deemed to be essential and only puts public safety at risk with the social contacts amid significant gatherings. Café’s, juice bars, and dessert parlors constitute the sector that has the 3^rd highest risk amongst the 26 business categories.

It’s pretty understandable that although these are deemed to be unessential, these are significant parts of our normal lives. Hitting the gym is essential for our health and fitness. However, for the time being, it appears that the only alternative that we can rely on is in-home work out sessions until the world gets back to normalcy.

The study also suggests that we must do everything that’s possible online. Yes, that’s the new and convenient norm! Stuff like groceries, fast food, books, and your most-loved fashion accessories must be ordered online, simply because it ensures that you can avail of these services and keeps public safety in check.

However, can you visit a dentist online when you get a toothache? Get a treatment online, maybe? No!

But don’t worry. MIT suggests that visiting a dentist is alright.

That’s because firstly, it’s a health essential and secondly, most dental clinics abide by CDC standards of safety. As for that matter, MIT gives a green light to visiting all healthcare facilities like dental clinics and physicians alike, banks, colleges and universities, as long as you have the right protective gear.

What it simply warns against is going out for activities that can be performed online or for activities that pose an unnecessary risk to our community.

It’s also important to note that if you need an emergency healthcare provider like a dentist, you visit your nearest dentist in your vicinity. Also, avoid emergency rooms since the gatherings there are larger and maintaining proper safety standards, hence, is tougher.

Therefore, it’s best that you make use of the private space, safety standards, and strict protocols of a dental clinic near you.

If you’re in Winchester VA, you can visit Smiles of Virginia Family Dental Centre, where there is proper adherence to all CDC safety standards and protocols to best ensure safety to you and everyone around you. Get in touch with the best dentist in Winchester VA near you. Contact us today!