Guidelines for Reopening Dental Practices

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has shared important guidelines for reopening dental practices and resuming routine preventative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the key points:

Pre-Appointment Screening

• Health Check: Staff may call patients before their appointments to ask about their health. These questions will be repeated when patients arrive.
• Temperature Checks: Patients may have their temperature taken prior to procedures.

Patient Arrival and Waiting Room Procedures

• Mask Policy: Patients are encouraged to wear their own masks when arriving at the dental office, especially in areas with mask mandates.
• Waiting Outside: Patients may be asked to wait outside until the dental team is ready to see them. This helps reduce the number of people in the office.
• Limit Companions: The number of people accompanying patients may be restricted.

Office Environment

• Remove Unnecessary Items: Toys and magazines may be taken out of waiting areas to minimize contact.
• Hand Sanitizer Availability: Hand sanitizer will be provided for patient use.
• Frequent Cleaning: Staff will wipe down items that patients touch, such as pens and clipboards.

Infection Control Measures

• Enhanced PPE: Dental professionals will use advanced personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, face shields, gowns, and goggles.
• Reduce Aerosols: Practices may implement measures to minimize aerosols:
  
  • Use hand scaling instead of ultrasonic scaling.
  • Employ high-velocity suction whenever possible.
  • Use rubber dental dams when feasible.

Post-Appointment Procedures

• Thorough Cleaning: Staff will clean all areas where patients have been, using disinfectants effective against COVID-19.

Additional Considerations

• Testing Recommendations: The ADHA suggests that all dental team members be tested for COVID-19 before returning to work, following state and local regulations.
• Infection Control Protocols: The association emphasizes the importance of adhering to strict infection control protocols and using the highest level of PPE available.

These guidelines aim to protect both patients and dental professionals while allowing for the safe resumption routine preventative care. Local or state government decisions regarding closures and restrictions may override these recommendations. This revised text uses shorter sentences, clear headings, and bullet points for better readability. Let me know if you need any further adjustments!