Staying Safe From Coronavirus at your Dental Practice
I would like to spend a moment to clarify information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the dental setting. The risk of exposure is very low but I would like you to know what we are doing to put the safety of our patients as a priority.
There is a wealth of information on the Australian Medical Association website devoted to Coronavirus (COVID-19). There is detailed information devoted to how it spreads, what symptoms to look for, prevention and treatment.
Protection from Coronavirus at Our Dental Clinics
What specifically are we doing at my practices to protect patients? We are restricting patients from attending our practice if…
- They have a fever/history of fever AND shortness of breath or a cough or a sore throat.
- Severe acute respiratory infection.
- They have travelled overseas in the last 2 weeks.
- Been in close contact with anyone who has had Coronavirus (COVID-19) or who has been in a health facility treating them.
Non-urgent treatment should be delayed for these patients. This is also applicable to staff members.
Infection Control Procedures
What are our infection control practices at Dr Caroline Downing and North Shore Smiles? We have the highest standards of infection control at both Lindfield and Neutral Bay. We are accredited with the Australian Dental Association and pride ourselves in our attention to detail and our patient safety. We use the latest equipment and follow the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, which can be found here.
Limiting the Spread of Coronavirus
What can you do to help limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- Hand hygiene. The single most important protection is to make sure that you are washing your hands before touching food or your face.
- Don’t touch your face. This limits the virus from entering you mouth and infecting your lungs.
- If you do cough or sneeze, make sure that it is into the nook of your elbow.
- The use of masks should be limited to medical/health personnel. These masks are beneficial because they are changed frequently, are sealed and remain dry. They do not protect after 30 mins of wear.
I hope this helps you to understand a little more. Please feel free to send us any questions you may have either by phone at (02) 8188 4520 or via the link below.
