If you are even a slightly aware individual, then you might know that the threat of COVID-19 is not over. It is still lurking over you and putting your life at risk. As you might already know that people’s bodies react differently once they are exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Some might show symptoms, while others might be asymptomatic. Due to all these factors, it has become nearly impossible to visit public places without risking your health. However, to combat the situation, various safety precautions and guidelines are formulated.

High-risk facilities like clinics and hospitals need to take extra precautions to avoid becoming the hotspot of COVID-19. Are you wondering how to choose the right facility that follows all the protocols? If this is your concern, then make sure to read this blog till the end, as it will provide you with details on how dental clinics are keeping you safe during COVID-19.

Risk Assessment And Management

National guideline for the dental clinic has divided the risk assessment and management system into two categories. One is high-risk patients, and the other is low-risk patients. It is advised that dental clinics should refrain from treating patients with high-risk factors. To identify the patients with these risk factors, dental clinics check for the following:

High-Risk Patients

High-risk patients are those that have COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive for RAT or RT-PCR. If the dental clinics do not have appropriate protocols to treat high-risk patients, then they can refer these patients to other centres that have the protocols in place.

Low-Risk Patients

Patients that are vaccinated and tested negative for RT-PCR tests are low-risk patients as they won’t have COVID-19. All dental procedures can be undertaken for patients for whom 14 days have elapsed after they were tested for COVID-19 symptoms. Such patients can be treated on the premises.

Teleconsultation

For areas that are on high alert for COVID-19 cases, they should work remotely. Teleconsultation is recommended for dental clinics that have a higher risk of exposing themselves to the virus.

Time-based Appointments

Dental clinics prefer taking one patient at a time for examination, and that too without an attendant. Also, dental clinics have a designated time slot, preferably in the morning, for patients that are vulnerable or pose a risk of COVID-19 infection. To maintain the COVID-19 protocols, walk-in patients who do not have appointments won’t be taken in by the doctors.

Patient Screening When They Enter

There is a whole screening process system that the patients should go through before entering the dental clinic. This screening process evaluates whether the patient comes under the high-risk or low-risk category. Once they know the category, they manage the dental check-up accordingly.

Cleaning The Tools

Cleaning the tools after every treatment is a normal routine for dental clinics. However, there are some strict guidelines on how to clean the tools once they are used for the treatment. As many patients can be carriers of COVID-19, it’s the responsibility of dental clinicians to clean the tools each time in the same way as they would clean them after treating a COVID-19-positive patient. The Armadale dental clinic is the one that is efficient in this case, as the dentists there are quite responsible for carrying out the procedures and cleaning their tools.

Using Disposable Items

Dental clinics prefer using disposable items to avoid getting infections from the items used during the procedures. Disposable items help in keeping the procedure cost-efficient as sometimes the cost of cleaning is more than the disposable item itself. Also, if not disinfected properly, the tools can spread the virus to other patients without even the knowledge of dentists. 

Patients With COVID-19 Symptoms Should Be Taken Only For Emergency Procedures

If, in case, the clinic comes across a patient with COVID-19 symptoms who needs a treatment, then they only take the patient in, in emergency cases. If the clinic does not have COVID-19 protocols in place to treat the infected patient, then they can refer the patient to the high centre or facilities with COVID-19 protocols in place.

Conclusion

When it comes to COVID-19, there are numerous things to consider for both the parties, the patient and the doctor. Thus, if the patient suspects that they are infected with COVID-19, then it’s their responsibility to inform the clinic about it.