{"id":4514,"date":"2020-10-01T09:32:22","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T13:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smilerestonheights.com\/?p=4514"},"modified":"2020-11-09T10:49:40","modified_gmt":"2020-11-09T15:49:40","slug":"can-you-safely-go-to-the-dentist-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smilerestonheights.com\/2020\/10\/01\/can-you-safely-go-to-the-dentist-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Safely Go to the Dentist During COVID-19?"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the coronavirus era, we have grown adept at hygiene maintenance. Mask-wearing, social distancing, and handwashing are now as common as greetings and small talk. Still, we all must ask: how safe are my daily tasks? Can I go to the store, the gym, or a friend\u2019s house without danger?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Smile Reston Heights, we stress both patients\u2019 and employees\u2019 health. Thus, we\u2019ve updated our standard procedures to afford everyone some peace of mind. We believe in continuing to provide <\/span>excellent dental services<\/span><\/a> while protecting everyone\u2019s overall health. We\u2019re thrilled to see patients from Reston and throughout Northern Virginia back in our office. With our general, cosmetic, and Invisalign services, Smile Reston Heights can help your smile to shine on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below, we detail how both the dental industry and our practice have adapted to COVID-19:<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes in the Dental Industry<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nationwide, health constraints have caused several <\/span>commercial effects for dental practices<\/span><\/a>. These effects include <\/span>deferred revenue<\/span><\/i>, which comes from offices limiting clients to the most pressing cases. While this practice thwarts potential infection, it also slows the rate of profit.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, dentists are investing in safety equipment and new technology. The former, which includes PPE, allows work to continue with minimal contact. Likewise, new technology helps to manage patient traffic and allows for <\/span>virtual appointments<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, offices are adding charges to cover safety equipment costs. At Smile Reston Heights, we now include $10 per patient for PPE (unless one\u2019s insurance company considers it an inclusive cost).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes in Dentists\u2019 Daily Practices<\/span><\/h2>\n

Along with business changes, <\/span>dentists have altered their care procedures<\/span><\/a>. As the CDC notes, <\/span>COVID-19 spreads mainly through<\/span><\/a> person-to-person contact and impacts older adults the hardest. Professionals have adjusted their methods suitably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many have created mobile dentist clinics. If seniors must avoid public spaces, then dental experts bring their offices to them. With the right equipment and HIPAA compliance, these dentistries ensure that sensitive populations get proper treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, practices have found novel ways to comply with restrictions. Many use only systems to manage patient entry and exit times. Furthermore, all office staff members receive daily health screenings to check for infection and\/or symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes at Smile Reston Heights<\/span><\/h2>\n

As with practices across the country, we\u2019ve shifted care so that <\/span>you can visit the dentist during COVID-19<\/span><\/a>. You\u2019ll find that many of the changes mentioned above are in place at Smile Reston Heights. These limit the exposure of staff and patients in the office:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n