Keeping Patients and Team Members safe after COVID-19

As dentists, your top priority always is to protect the health and safety of your patients and employees. Given the current circumstance of the coronavirus pandemic, OSHA and CDC compliance is crucial to preventing the spread of COVID-19. But, what happens when you reopen your practice? Health officials have already warned the public that COVID-19 concerns will be around for a while, upwards of a year or longer. Top-rated dental consultants want to share some tips on increasing patient safety by going above and beyond.

1. Use an Isolite, Isodry or Dryshield

What if we told you that rubber dams and cotton rolls were a thing of the past? The Isolite serves multiple purposes, including an LED light, a continuous dual suction to reduce humidity, and a tongue and cheek retractor. This hands-free device allows you to achieve better visibility when accessing a tooth, provides better moisture control than a suction or rubber dam, and is faster and safer by eliminating airborne particles (aerosol). The Isolite 3 offers a true amber and white light, that will not cure dental materials, and has a smart adapter so that the unit connects directly to your existing HVE line. Its manufacturer, ZYRIS, has data that proves the unit’s aerosol elimination. It’s a small price to pay for precision and safety! No need for bulky over the patient machines that can create even more fear.

2. Add Air Scrubbers to Your Practice

We aren’t talking about any ole air purifier that you could purchase at your local home improvement store. Instead, we are referring to sophisticated technology, such as Aerus Solutions air scrubbers that can be professionally installed throughout your office. Unlike air purifiers that most people purchase for their homes, these air scrubbers remove not only common allergens and dust particles, but also eliminate harmful contaminants that may exacerbate asthma and other lung diseases. This technology is proven to remove VOCs, bacteria, and viruses (flu, MRSA, and E. coli) and also reduces the number of sick days used by staff because everyone breathes clean air every day. The cost for a whole office installation is about $2,500, which, considering what it costs to pay a fill-in hygienist or assistant, the investment is well worth the money.

3. Face Shields

Wearing proper PPE is essential, and always has been, even before the days of COVID-19. However, the quick spread of COVID-19 may have you evaluating your practice’s PPE gear to ensure your staff is protected to the max. Henry Schein offers face shields that are comfortable and convenient. Some face shields are held in place by a stretchy band that fits over the back of your head. Another option for easy on and off is designed like a sun visor. Find a style that works well for your team members. This is a good time to get their input and not just purchase the cheapest gear available.

4. Hands-Free Check-ins

Weeks of social distancing and hands-free options everywhere we turn will forever change our future interactions with one another. What was once common practice, having patients check-in by signing their name on paper with a pen, should be reinvented for the safety of your team, and your patients. Technology these days make hands-free check-ins much easier. There is dental practice software available if you’d like to integrate a technology-based check-in process within your office. However, you can start off by just asking for the patient’s name upon their arrival, and then checking them in on the schedule. There are even simple ways for patients to check out at the end of their appointment, without having to hand over their credit card or sign a receipt. Our dental practice consultants can work with your practice on implementing a hands-free payment option that is easy for all patients, and that integrates with your existing workflow.  

5. Rethink the Waiting Room

Nearly everyone has a smartphone with Internet access these days. Older generations may be accustomed to skimming through magazines or books sitting in your waiting area. However, these items harbor and spread germs. Once you reopen your practice, consider removing printed materials from your waiting room. Your practice likely already has Wi-Fi, so you could consider offering free Wi-Fi for your patients. Post the Wi-Fi password in a highly visible area, perhaps in a frame on the wall where it will not need to be touched.

6. Waitless Waiting Room Option

Speaking of the waiting room, consider opting for a “waitless” waiting room where patients are asked to remain in their vehicles before their appointment. The front office can call or text the patient when it is time to call them back. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a requirement for all patients, but you may want to offer it as an option for those that may be concerned about catching germs or becoming sick.

7. Reschedule High-Risk Patients for 30 Days After You Return

When reopening your practice following the COVID-19 shutdown, consider scheduling your high-risk patients seeking elective procedures for at least 30 days after your return. Dental emergencies should be addressed accordingly. But, putting off elective procedures for high-risk individuals helps reduce their risk of being exposed to any lingering cases of COVID-19.

8. Pre-Rinsing for Patients

At this time, the CDC and ADA recommend having patients rinse their mouth with hydrogen peroxide solution of at least .5%. Peroxide that can be purchased in stores is 2%, so it would need to be diluted before using it as a mouth rinse. However, there are mouth rinses available for purchase with 1.5% peroxide, Colgate Proxyl, and Listerine Whitening Mouthrinse. Patients should rinse with the solution for 30 seconds. Ozone water rinses may also be effective, although the CDC and ADA have not backed any claims on its effectiveness against COVID-19.

9. Custom N95 Masks for All Team Members

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us all that our country, and many parts of the world, lack enough PPE, which include N95 masks. You and your team are on the front lines every day. Bacteria and viruses swirl around the air every time a dental procedure is performed using your handpiece. Masks are most effective when they fit properly. If you have a 3D printer in your office, now is the time to get an STL file so that you can custom print your team’s own N95 masks. Don’t have the technology? You probably know a dental lab that has 3D printing capabilities.  

10, Air Hugs and High-Fives

It’s not time to get back to shaking hands and hugging just yet. Consider hanging on to the air hugs and air high fives. We can find other ways to be personable with our patients. We will always have excellent customer service, and we will still be known for being the same great business we have always been… without the hugs and handshakes. Add some eye contact to your air hugs, and you will keep your patient relationships intact.

11. Disposable Gowns

We are already wearing lab coats and leaving our scrubs and shoes at work. If you are not doing this, now is the time to implement this action. The disposable gown will add an additional layer of protective barrier. Some will add to their PPE plan, and others will continue on what they have done in the past and work on the other areas to increase additional protection.

12. Hand Sanitizer

Placing hand sanitizer everywhere in the office is the ‘new normal” make it available. Go ahead and look for some cute branded hand sanitizers with your company information all over it.

11. Update Health History

Each time a patient enters your office, they should be asked if there are any changes in their health history. But, Bryant Consultants recommends adding these additional questions to the health history form.

• Do you currently have any of these symptoms? (circle all that apply): Fever, cough, chest tightness
• Have you ever tested positive for COVID-19?
• Have you traveled outside the United States within the past 14 days? If so, where?

For more than two decades, Bryant Consultants has helped dental practices navigate tumultuous circumstances. Our dental practice consultants have already been hard at work with our own clients as we battle the COVID-19 shutdown together. Now is the time to look ahead at what it will look like when you open the doors to your practice. If you would like to learn more or schedule a complimentary one-hour consultation, please contact Bryant Consultants by calling (877) 768-4799. We provide consultation, training, and coaching and will continue to post relevant updates regarding the coronavirus pandemic. To ensure that you receive the latest updates, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.