Patient safety is our top priority, which is why Dr. John Gotwalt, Dr. Sara Gotwalt, and their team are adhering to ADA and CDC guidelines to protect staff and patients. As our dental office begins to open for non-emergency patients we will ask you to sanitize your hands before entering our office. You may also wait in your car before your appointment as we will allow a limited number of people into the waiting room at a time. Learn more about how we are controlling infection in our dental office below:
Following Guidelines
The CDC and ADA have provided guidelines for medical and dental professionals who are seeing patients at this time. These agencies are updating infection control guidelines for the dental industry. It’s necessary for them to keep on top of things as sterilization techniques update and change. We are following their tools and checklists to ensure that we are adhering to the guidelines for sterilization and infection control.
Sterilizing Our Office
Our dentists sterilize dental tools and instruments that are reused between patients. Metal tools used for surgery or gum disease treatment are heated to sterilize them. Some instruments that we use are disposable and are used only once for each patient. Dental chairs, office chairs, the reception desk, and other surfaces that come in contact with the skin are disinfected to kill germs and infection.
Personal Protection Equipment
PPE is a measure that is used to protect both patients and staff. Our dentists wear gloves that are changed between patients. Sometimes gloves are changed multiple times with the same patient, depending on the dental services being performed. When gloves come into contact with other surfaces, like the counter or computer, they will be disposed. Proper handwashing techniques are followed both before and after putting on gloves. Eye protection including goggles or glasses is normally required for our staff. We are stepping up this level of protection by providing face masks to every member of our staff.