Looking at the grid-like layout of little laneways and arcades in Liverpool, it is hard to imagine that, until the 1950s, it was just a satellite town with an economy dependent on agriculture and poultry farming. Now, it is one of the major city centers in South Western Sydney.
Liverpool has excellent public transportation, school system, and medical services, making it a great place for families to settle in. The quality of their dental care, in particular, bears mentioning. Almost any dentist Liverpool residents have access to are some of the best in the industry.
As the government grows more confident with its handle on the COVID-19 virus, it has relaxed some constraints on the dental industry. Clinics in New South Wales and other areas can now operate under the Level 1 restrictions. What does this mean for the patients in Liverpool? Here are some of the things you can expect at your dentist’s clinic during the pandemic.
Initial Screening Before Treatment
Although routine dental treatments have been allowed, patients must first answer screening questions before being attended by your dentist in Liverpool. This is to ensure that both patients and dentists are safe and the virus does not spread.
The first question is for signs of respiratory problems such as sore throat or cough, and fever (temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher). Next, you will be asked if you have been in contact with a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case, including those with symptoms of viral respiratory illness that are undiagnosed as of yet. Lastly, you will also be asked if you live in or traveled to a place with an elevated risk of community transmission.
Physical Distancing in the Waiting Room
The dental industry is doing its best to make dental care available to all who need it, but they will be prioritizing patients who need urgent care and those whose treatment was postponed or deferred due to the dental restrictions previously imposed. And with the expected influx of patients, physical distancing will be strictly observed. This means that the number of patients allowed in the waiting room will be reduced.
To comply with the required distancing, there will be times where some patients are asked to wait in their cars or the number of those who accompany patients for treatment will be reduced. It would be best if you call ahead to set an appointment to minimize the time you will spend waiting for your turn at the clinic.
Moderation of Aerosol Generation
On top of the standard precautions for aerosol producing procedures such as wearing of personal protective equipment or PPE, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and routine environmental cleaning, additional precautions would be taken to prevent the spread of communicable or infectious diseases.
If your treatment would involve the use of high-speed hand devices, surgical handpieces, ultrasonic devices, and sonic devices, lasers, and air polishing equipment, transmission-based precautions will be additionally taken by your dentist in Liverpool. This action is threefold: contact protection, droplet precaution, and safeguard against airborne particles. All would involve the use of proper PPE. High-speed evacuation devices and rubber dams are also required where applicable. Treatments will be carried out in a single room behind closed doors. A negative pressure is recommended. And throughout the treatment, your dental practitioner will continuously assess the risk and adjust accordingly.
Visit HealthGardeners.com