After several months in quarantine due to the pandemic caused by Covid-19, the "new normality" is gradually coming to our lives, and also to dental clinics. One thing is certain, the clinics must reorganize their dental practice and their working methods (in many cases it will become a permanent practice). From now on it is necessary to have strict habits and procedures regarding hygiene and protection both for the patient and the dentist.
A dental clinic is one of the places with high risk of contagion and where it is inevitable to be directly exposed to the virus when carrying out treatments. For this reason, disinfection is key. If you would like to have a guide for protective products for both patients and dentists, and disinfection products for the clinic keep reading, because we are going to show you! .
Covid-19 is spread by contact with respiratory secretions such as coughing or sneezing of infected people, causing the spread to another person through the nose, eyes or mouth. Currently, the COEM (official school of dentistry and stomatology by its Spanish acronym) warns and advises that guidelines should be followed and carried out daily in the dental clinic to stop the spread of the disease:
- Wash your hands before and after treating a patient.
- Preferably use FFP2 masks, or surgical masks that should be changed every two hours.
- Wear gloves, gowns, and face and eye protection such as protective shields and goggles with clear lenses.
- Very important: disinfect all surfaces where you work and can become contaminated. In 5 minutes after the application of products for disinfection the virus will lose its activity.
- During the reception of the clients: the temperature will be taken with a thermometer without contact and if it is obtained more than 37,3°C the treatment will be postponed for 14 days. The patient should go alone except for children or dependents. Accompanying persons should remain in the waiting room without touching any objects.
- When entering the clinic, the patient and accompanying person, if any, should apply the hydroalcoholic gel provided by the clinic and some shoe covers. The patient should wear a mask.
- Avoid the use of the toilet.
- The dental chair shall have a disposable chair cover or be disinfected after each patient. A disposable plastic tray, with a cup, a vacuum cleaner, a disposable air/water syringe cannula is also essential.
- On entering the cabinet, the patient must put on a disposable cap and gown without touching anything. A rinse will be requested for one minute before starting the scan.
- It is recommended to use the rubber dike to reduce the particles in the air. In addition, drainage, greasing, disinfection and sterilization of the rotating instruments after each patient would be a good option.
- At the end of the treatment the patient must remove the cap and gown, pay by card and before leaving the clinic remove the tights and throw them in a trash can exclusively for this purpose.
As you can see, a thorough work has to be carried out in this new normality where disinfection is key. Here we show you the EPIS fundamentals and that from now on they are necessary for the day to day in the clinic.
Protective material for dentists
Disposable or surgical masks:
Due to the high risk to which dentists are exposed during the working day, it is recommended to use masks FFP2 with filter. These masks have a high filtering efficiency and will protect you from pathogenic biological agents such as viruses or bacteria.
The FFP2 are recommended when the distance between the patient and the dentist is less than 1 meter. In case of greater distance (more than 1 meter), surgical masks with a high level of filtration can be used, which should be changed every two hours.Disposable gloves:
The disposable gloves offer a protective barrier to avoid cross-contamination, they are also light and comfortable to wear, which does not interfere during treatments.
Latex or nitrile gloves must be changed every half hour approximately as they will lose the protective barrier effect and change them with each patient. The nitrile gloves are more resistant than latex gloves and are powder-free, do not irritate the skin, perfect for people with latex allergies and perfectly adaptable.
Disposable gowns and overalls:
Long-sleeved disposable gowns and coveralls offer protection for legs, arms and the entire front and back. They are comfortable materials that adapt correctly to the body.
You will find hydrophobic, water-repellent and protective overalls and polypropylene hooded overalls.
Dental protection glasses:
Eye protection goggles have a clear lens and help protect from chemical or biological agents. In this case they can be used by patients and dentists. The following goggles provide comfort, high resistance and good visibility.
The World Health Organization has warned that transmission of Covid-19 occurs through droplets floating in the air that are inhaled or through contact with surfaces where the virus is present and then comes into contact with the nose, mouth or eyes. But it has also been scientifically proven that this virus is present in the ocular mucosa, so the eyes are a part that should not be forgotten and should be protected properly.
Face protection screens:
The face protection screens provide protection from splashes and particles from the outside. These screens must be comfortable and provide good visibility so that it does not interfere during treatments. In addition, they can be cleaned and disinfected in a simple way. We have available protection screens for daily work of different types, but all of them will ensure the protection you need.
Disposable or reusable caps:
The caps are recommended to improve the hygiene conditions even more in the dental clinic. These caps are comfortable, they fit perfectly You will find disposable caps made of TNT, with elastic, transparent or waterproof.
You can also find much more in our section Health protection material: tights or shoe covers, paper rolls and disinfection products, in addition to those mentioned in the article (masks, gloves, protective glasses, etc).
Here is the first part of our article today about how the day to day will be in the dental clinic in the next months. Don't miss the second part of this post that will be published this week, where we will show you the necessary equipment for a good disinfection. And you, how are you doing with this new process at the time of working? Do you have the necessary protection equipment? Tell us and leave your comment, we will be happy to help you! Also, do not hesitate to share on your social networks so that more people can join this great family.
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