The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the definition of “normal” for many aspects of our lives. Since so little is known about this novel coronavirus, a wide variety of dental safety protocols and infection controls have been established in dental practices. Among many other new precautions your dental team is taking, they will only be changing into and out of their scrubs while inside the practice. Read on to find out why you won’t be seeing your Marlton dentist or their team wearing their scrubs outside the office.
How Long Does COVID-19 Survive on Surfaces?
COVID-19 is primarily spread through infected respiratory droplets. When a sick person sneezes, coughs, or talks, these infected particles are dispersed into the air. If they’re not inhaled, they will settle on nearby objects, where they may be able to survive for minutes, hours, or days later. So far, studies have found that the novel coronavirus can survive on:
- Copper for up to four hours.
- Carboard for around 14 hours.
- Plastic and stainless steel for two to three days.
Handling a contaminated object transfers infected particles onto your hands, which can then be transferred to your eyes, nose, or mouth to make you sick.
Can Scrubs or Clothing Spread COVID-19?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, studies found that scrubs worn by medical and dental professionals were frequently contaminated with bacteria due to their work. However, no studies have been conducted specifically on how long COVID-19 particles can remain viable on clothes. Some researchers believe that since clothes are made of fibers that can absorb moisture, the virus may be able to survive for up to 24 hours. Metal or plastic zippers, buttons, or clasps can harbor viable particles for much longer.
Us health experts currently report that professionals wearing scrubs out in public does not appear to pose a threat to the health of their community. However, much more research is needed to substantiate these findings. Until then, your dental team is eliminating the possibility of bringing any outside germs into their practice by only changing into and out of their newly cleaned scrubs while in the office.
What Is PPE & How Does It Help?
To further prevent the spread of infected particles, your dental team enhances their working wardrobe with a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE). These items are designed to act as a barrier between the wearer and germs that could be spread through the air or via body fluid. Then, after care is administered, these items are either carefully disposed of or thoroughly disinfected before the next patient is treated. A few PPE items you may see your dental team wearing during your next visit include:
- Disposable gloves and protective coats.
- N95 and ASTM level three masks.
- Clear plastic visors called face shields.
There is still a lot we don’t know about COVID-19. Nonetheless, your dental team is committed to taking every precaution to safeguard your health while providing dental care during the pandemic.
About the Practice
Dr. Kristin Petulla and Dr. Jennifer Kazemi are pleased to welcome their patients back to their Marlton, NJ dental practice. To keep you as safe and healthy as possible, they have been monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic carefully and adjusting their infection control protocols accordingly. After careful consideration, they have established a variety of extra safety precautions that are designed to add peace-of-mind and extra layers of safety to the excellent dental care you’ve come to expect. If you’d like to learn more about their Commitment to Safety, feel free to contact them via their website or at (856) 983-4846.