Is it SAFE to go to the Dentist?

ABSOLUTELY It Is!

The world continues to change at a breathtaking speed with some fear and uncertainty. As it begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, one question that I am often asked is “Do you think it is safe to go to the dentist? “ My immediate response is an ABSOLUTELY, “YES!”

You may not know that Dentistry is a profession of obsessive-compulsive cleaners. Dental offices are one of the SAFEST places you can be. Dental treatment rooms are cleaned with potent bacterial and viricidal cleaners before and after each patient visit. Dental instruments are heat sterilized to kill all viruses and bacteria. Barrier protection is used to prevent germs from spreading when we touch things. Furthermore, we use many disposable products, and wear advanced personal protective equipment for the safety of our patients and community. 

Dentistry was safe before the COVID-19 outbreak and remains safe after. To date there has been not one instance of a major COVID-19 outbreak from a dental office, throughout the entire world. 

The last couple months, you may have heard about aerosols and their potential danger, especially as it relates to COVID-19. Aerosols are a part of our daily lives. When you speak, cough, sneeze, laugh and breathe, you generate aerosols from your body into the surrounding environment. Almost always, our human bodies have a well-developed immune system to protect us from any potential dangers that we may be exposed to from aerosols. For over a decade we have been ozonating all water that is used in patient treatment- which kills all pathogens. In a dental office, the American Dental Association (ADA), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and California Dental Association (CDA) have been leaders in helping dental offices remain safe before, during and after the pandemic. With guidelines that have been developed through science and fact, these practices have been incorporated into William M. Netzley DDS dental practice. 

WE WANT YOU AND OUR TEAM MEMBERS TO ALWAYS FEEL COMFORTABLE AND SAFE AT OUR OFFICE.

Since the pandemic began, dental offices have been taking additional safety measures to protect our patients and our team. These include:

• Screening before each patient visit 

• Taking temperatures of each patient

• Limiting the number of people who are in the office at all times

• Social distancing

• Sanitization of patient hands, oral rinse and devices

• Increased PPE for both patients and the dental team

• Limiting of aerosol generating procedures

Although we have added a few additional measures, we have been practicing infection control for decades at or above the accepted practice. These additional measures in addition to our regular infection control procedures make our office the safest place you can be. 

As we begin performing routine dental care on June 1st 2020, you can be assured that we have studied the latest information and research on how to best care for our patients to keep you and us safe during your visit.

If you’d like to schedule a visit, please call our office at (559) 227-4078