Is It Safe To Visit The Dentist During COVID-19?

At Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics, we take your safety seriously. As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, you may be wondering if it’s safe to visit our office for orthodontic treatment. When you come to see Dr. Hottenstein for the care you need, we’re taking every step we can to keep you healthy and minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Learn more below, and see how we’re protecting our patients in Wyomissing.

Pre-Appointment Check-Ins & Social Distancing At Our Office

First, we will require you to fill out a quick questionnaire or answer some questions over the phone before your appointment, related to COVID-19 symptoms, whether you’ve been around someone who was exposed, and any recent travel. This ensures we only see patients who are healthy and symptom-free.

We have also reconfigured our office to provide additional space, and ask that patients maintain 6 feet of distance from one another, as well as from staff members. We have changed our schedule to ensure fewer patients are in our office at once, which will help you maintain your distance from others and keep you safe. 

Proper Hand Washing & Respiratory Etiquette

We have always followed required hand washing guidelines, including washing before and after putting on gloves, before and after treating patients, and after exposure to any potentially-contaminated surface. We also encourage our patients to wash their hands before and after treatment, and also have hand sanitizer available.

Our staff are also trained on proper respiratory etiquette, including sneezing and coughing into the elbow, washing hands after exposure to tissues or respiratory secretions, and other best practices to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

PPE For All Staff Members

All staff members are now wearing masks, and we ask that patients wear masks or similar face coverings to their appointments. This helps protect you and our staff. 

Our dental team members are also now using additional PPE like gowns, head and shoe coverings, and face shields for certain procedures and treatments. All worn used PPE is left in the operatory where it was used for proper disposal or reprocessing, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. 

Frequent Sterilization & Disinfection Of Operatories & Waiting Areas

We have always followed OSHA, ADA and CDC guidelines to sanitize surfaces in our operatories, and to clean and sterilize equipment between patients. But now, we are cleaning each operatory even more thoroughly to eliminate any potential contaminants.

In addition to this, we are frequently cleaning and wiping down common surfaces and areas with EPA-registered disinfectant. This includes countertops, chairs and tables, doorknobs, bathrooms, and other surfaces and areas that patients may touch during their appointment. 

It’s Safe To Get Orthodontic Care At Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics

Whether you’ve paused your orthodontic treatment during COVID-19 and are ready to get started again, or you’re a new patient and want to straighten your smile, Dr. Molly Hottenstein is here to help. We’re doing everything we can to protect you and our team members at our office, so give us a call at (484) 258-2299 or contact us online to schedule an appointment right away.