When you’ve been to the dentist in the past, you’ve surely noticed the personal protection equipment (PPE) they use such as a mask and gloves. But do you know how it works to prevent the spread of infection? In this blog, you’ll find out how 4 major types of PPE lower your risk of exposure to everything from the common cold to COVID-19. Along with many other sanitation protocols used by a dentist in Chesterton, PPE is one more way they’re keeping you safe while providing the treatment you need for a healthy smile!
Masks
Since it’s thought that COVID-19 is largely transmitted through respiratory droplets to the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, face masks are incredibly important for the dental team. Either N95 or ASTM level 3 masks are typically used, both of which provide a much higher level of filtration than a cloth face covering.
Dental staff put on a new mask before seeing each patient, being careful to use clean hands when putting them on or taking them off. Masks are also discarded right away if they become wet or soiled.
Gloves
Gloves are not a substitute for handwashing but provide an important added layer of hand hygiene. They create a barrier between the dental team’s hands and potentially infectious blood, saliva, mucous membranes, and contaminated surfaces. This greatly reduces the number of viruses and bacteria that can be spread via the hands during dental procedures.
Eyewear
The eyes are also considered a transmission point for COVID-19 and other bacteria and viruses, so it’s a must for the dental team to wear goggles, loupes (magnifying eyewear), a face shield, or a combination thereof. Since air and water spray are frequently used during procedures, these types of PPE protect the eyes from splashes and spatter that might otherwise be a risk. Eyewear is removed and disinfected by team members when they leave the treatment room.
Jackets and Gowns
Clothing is also a potential carrier of COVID-19, so a dentist and their staff change into jackets and gowns when they arrive at work. Some offices use disposable garments while others follow CDC guidelines for laundering their jackets and gowns at the end of each work day.
PPE has always been an essential part of dental office safety and sanitation. Now, it continues to be used because it’s so effective at preventing the spread of infection – not only for dentists and their staff but from patient to patient as well!
About the Author
Dr. Danny Hayes has many years of experience as a dentist in Chesterton and graduated from the Temple University School of Dentistry. PPE has always been of the utmost importance in his practice to protect his patients, staff, and himself, and his commitment to infection control continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’d like to know more about how PPE keeps you safe or have any other questions, you can reach Dr. Hayes by clicking here.