The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, including infection control for dental offices. From virtual meetings to canceled plans, the pandemic continues to keep us on our toes. One thing you don’t need to question, though, is the way we’ve changed our infection control procedures to keep you and your loved ones safe while visiting our endodontic office locations in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

Here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, we want you to know that we care about your health and safety, and we work hard to prevent the spread of disease. That’s why our team is going above and beyond to make your experience at our office as safe and comfortable as possible. Continue reading to learn about how we’re implementing infection control for dental offices.

Infection Control for Dental Offices

Infection control procedures are the actions your medical providers take in health care settings in order to prevent the spread of disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has certain guidelines for infection control in dental offices, along with new directives to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Before you even enter our treatment room, our team has carefully disinfected all surfaces –– including the dental chair, dental light, countertops, and drawer handles. Non-disposable items, such as dental tools are cleaned and sterilized between patients. Disposable needles and dental tools are never reused.

How We’re Navigating COVID-19

We’ve further elevated our stringent infection control practices since the start of the pandemic. On March 16, 2020, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued more detailed guidance to dentists regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state and local government may require people to wear masks in public, so be sure to wear one to your appointment. Please wear your mask correctly when you arrive at our office, and we kindly ask you to respect social distance guidelines as you wait to be taken back. Rest assured that we have hand sanitizer available for our patients, and high-touch areas are frequently disinfected throughout the day.

When it’s time for you to see your endodontist, the exam area may look slightly different. Your doctor may use different personal protective equipment (PPE) than they’ve used at previous appointments. This could include different masks, face shields, gowns, and goggles. These additional precautions help protect both you and the dentist.

Once your endodontist has completed your exam, the office staff will thoroughly clean the areas where you’ve been using disinfectants that are effective against the virus that causes COVID-19 to prepare for the next patient. This helps reduce the risk of illness being passed to others and is the best way to keep our patients and their families safe.

Along with disinfecting surfaces and utilizing more PPE, communication is key when it comes to infection control. Following your appointment, please call our office if you start feeling ill with the symptoms of COVID-19 within two days of your appointment –– even if you’ve been vaccinated. You may have already been carrying the virus at the time of your appointment, so anyone who came into contact with you during that time could be at risk for getting sick too.

When it comes to your dental and overall health, keeping up with regular dental exams as well as endodontic exams is important. Prior to our appointment, contact us for the latest updates to our COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, we are deeply committed to the health and safety of you and your loved ones. That’s why we implement the highest level of infection control procedures at both of our office locations in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Contact our office to schedule an evaluation and learn how we can safely restore your smile!