Usually, when you arrive at the dental office, you check in with the receptionist, sit down, and read one of the magazines on the table until you were called back to receive treatment. You may have noticed that this has changed. In order to protect her patients from COVID-19, your dentist in Corbin has removed all magazines and other frequently touched items from her waiting room. Continue reading to learn why.
Why Aren’t There Magazines in the Waiting Room Anymore?
Most of the time, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 travels directly from person to person. Whenever someone who is infected coughs, sneezes, or talks, they release virus-containing droplets into the air that can easily be inhaled by another person. However, this is not the only way the virus is transferred to others. It is also possible to contract the virus from a surface that an infected person has touched.
Even though many surfaces can easily be disinfected, this is not the case for magazines and other objects. Your dentist has decided that the best decision is to remove these items entirely for the time being to keep her office as safe as possible.
How Long Does COVID-19 Live on Hard Surfaces?
There are certain materials that you need to be extra careful about because of how long the virus can live. Here are a few materials and the amount of time it takes for the virus to die:
- Copper: 4 hours
- Cardboard: 24 hours
- Wood: 2 days
- Glass: 4 days
- Paper: 4 days
- Plastic: 3-7 days
- Stainless steel: 3-7 days
How Else Are Dentists Keeping Their Offices Safe?
Dentists all over the country are taking new precautions, on top of their already strict protocols, to protect themselves and their patients from COVID-19. Here are just a few from your dentist in Corbin:
Virtual Waiting Rooms
When you arrive to the office for your appointment, you can now check in from your car. Just give the dental staff a call to let them know that you’re there. They will alert you and escort you to your treatment room when it’s ready.
Patient Only
Only the patient will be allowed to go to the treatment room. Exceptions include parents of patients who are minors, and caregivers for patients with special needs.
COVID-19 Screening Questions
Each patient will be asked questions about their current health before their appointment and when they arrive. Patients will have their temperature taken using a no-touch thermometer. If your temperature is too high, or you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as a cough, your dental staff will be happy to reschedule your appointment for a later date when you’re feeling better.
HEPA Air Filtration
These units have been installed to filter out bacteria and viruses in the treatment rooms. This way, each patient will have fresh, clean air when they arrive to the office.
Face Coverings
All patients are asked to wear a face covering as they enter the building. This will be removed once you make it to the treatment area. The dental staff will be wearing masks as well. This helps to add extra barriers between each other, making it less likely to spread the virus.
Your dentist is doing everything in her power to keep her patients safe, including the removal of magazines from the reception area. All of these little steps reduce your likelihood of becoming ill so that you can have peace of mind when you come into the office.
About the Author
Dr. Katherine Whitaker is a dentist serving the Corbin, KY area. She completed her undergraduate degree at Georgetown College before earning her doctorate at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. She is a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association, the Kentucky Dental Association, and the Southeastern Dental Society. Dr. Whitaker is taking many precautions to keep her staff and patients as safe as possible. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call (606) 523-1415.