Have you ever seen your dentist at the store or at a restaurant still wearing their scrubs from the office? It might have been a bit odd. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen anymore, at least for the foreseeable future, due to the coronavirus. But why exactly is this the case? A dentist in Richardson is here to explain why you won’t see them in their stylish scrubs outside the office anymore.
Why Is Your Dentist No Longer Wearing Their Scrubs Outside the Office?
These days, your dentist (as well as their staff) comes into work wearing regular clothes and changes into their scrubs while at the office. They later change back into their normal clothes in the office at the end of the day. This is done because recent research has shown that germs from the household can be transmitted to the office and thus to patients.
Additionally, your dentist treats several patients a day. Each of these patients has their own unique set of pathogens. Even though your dentist’s office is one of the cleanest places you could possibly be, sometimes germs, including the coronavirus, can slip through the cracks and onto scrubs. If your dentist goes out, like to the grocery store, those germs could spread to countless other people.
Because your dentist wants to do all that they can to slow the spread of COVID-19, they are following all of the CDC’s recommended safety protocols. That includes changing into their work clothes at the office instead of at home.
How Else Is Your Dentist Working to Slow the Spread of COVID-19?
The CDC, as well as the American Dental Association, have each come up with their own set of guidelines to avoid spreading COVID-19 in dental practices. Some of the guidelines that your dentist is following include:
- Performing daily health checks of every member of their team
- Asking patients to rinse with an antimicrobial mouth rinse upon arrival
- Screening every patient on their recent health before their appointment begins
- Thoroughly disinfecting the office in between patients
- Wearing double face masks as well as face shields in the operatory
- Removing magazines and toys from the waiting room, since these objects are frequently touched and can thus transmit germs
Your dentist in Richardson takes oral and general hygiene extremely seriously, as evidenced by the fact that they follow all of the health and safety protocols. Rest assured that when you go in for an appointment, you’ll be in good hands.
About the Author
Dr. Meredith Davis graduated in the top 20% of her class at the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. Her professional memberships include the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Dallas County Dental Society. Her practice implements all of the safety protocols listed above and more, including changing into and out of work clothes at work.