• 

Due to the nature of their practice, dentists have always maintained high standards of sanitation and infection control. Just like many other sicknesses, COVID-19 is transmitted when infected particles come in contact with a person’s mouth, nose, or eyes. To keep you, their staff, and the community safe, your Richardson dentist will be guarding these vulnerable areas with even more personal protective equipment (PPE) than before. Here are four important items they’ll be wearing at your next dental appointment to keep their dental office safe, clean, and germ-free

DISPOSABLE GLOVES

A dentist’s hands come in close proximity to all their patients’ mouths, which is why disposable gloves have always been a key part of their working wardrobe. Infected particles, bacteria, and viruses like COVID-19 cannot penetrate disposable gloves. This means that they prevent both the wearer and the patient from spreading germs to each other during dental treatment. After administering care, the contaminated gloves are disposed of in a dedicated receptacle. Then, your dentist will wash their hands and put on a brand-new pair of gloves before treating their next patient.

RESPIRATORS OR MASKS

Since COVID-19 spreads through infected respiratory droplets, dental professionals who perform aerosol-generating dental procedures are at a higher risk of inhaling those germs. Masks and respirators play an essential role in protecting the wearer’s mouth and nose from any airborne particles that could make them sick. Similar to disposable gloves, they also prevent the dispersion of any infected respiratory droplets from the wearer in the case that they may be sick without knowing.

FACE SHIELDS

Aside from the nose and mouth, the coronavirus can also enter through the eyes. A face shield is a clear plastic visor that is designed to cover a majority of the face, including the mouth, nose, and eyes. These are especially useful for protecting against germs that can be spread through the spraying or spattering of body fluids. However, they do not adequately protect the wearer from airborne particles since they don’t form a seal around the wearer’s face. Thankfully, face shields can easily be used in conjunction with other PPE like masks and goggles for a second layer of protection.

SINGLE USE PROTECTIVE COATS

Sometimes, in order to reduce the spread or absorption of germs during a treatment, your dentist may wear a single use protective coat. This added measure of security acts as a barrier between any infectious particles and the wearer’s skin and clothes. Once the appointment is over, the coat is safely disposed of to completely eliminate the risk of spreading germs to the rest of the office.

Now more than ever, dental professionals utilize a variety of PPE in order to keep you healthy during your dental treatment. If you need to visit the office for care during COVID-19, you can rest assured knowing that they are prepared and able to keep both you and your smile healthy.

ABOUT THE PRACTICE

At Breckinridge Dental & Orthodontics in Richardson, TX, we are proud to use state-of-the-art dental technology to make your appointments as quick, effective, and comfortable as possible. It also allows us to offer a range of advanced treatments like DentalVibe, acceledent, and clear braces. In these unusual times, we continue to use top-of-the-line equipment like the PPE listed above for the wellbeing of our patients. If you’d like to learn more about our commitment to safety, feel free to contact us via our website or at (972) 248-9119.