Dental offices protect patients, staff with new measures

A trip to the dentist can be an anxiety-inducing experience under normal circumstances, let alone during a pandemic. As Chicago dental offices resume services to the public, new protocols can help keep patients safe.

Washington Dental Care, in the West Loop, reopened May 18 after operating on an emergency-only basis during the shutdown. Returning patients will have their temperature checked as they enter the office, office manager Marybeth Thornton said. Patients are asked routine questions about international travel and potential exposure to COVID-19.

Other changes include lengthier appointments and hand sanitizer throughout the office.

"It's been a little more difficult than normal, but we're adjusting to it, and I think our patients are adjusting well to it," Thornton said. "Most of the patients are (want) to come in because they have been away for a couple months."

Patients will notice dentists and dental hygienists are more "suited up," Thornton said. The practice's employees are using more personal protective equipment, such as new gowns, face shields and N95 masks,. Additionally, front office staff members, working behind plastic shields, wear masks throughout the day.

At Magnificent Mile Family Dental in Streeterville, maintaining a clean environment is essential, office manager Sharon Young said.

In addition to equipping staff with personal protective equipment and using a greater amount of disinfectant spray to sanitize the facilities, the office recently installed a HEPA filter, designed to filter out harmful particles in the air.

"When we're doing cleanings, we're using suction closer to the area to avoid the spray of water — less aerosol," Young added. "So, we just want to take the extra precaution for patients."

To limit interpersonal contact and comply with social distancing measures, the office is staggering patient appointments, she said.

"We only see one patient at a time in the office," Young said. "Patients are not allowed to sit in the waiting room—they have to come right in for their appointment. They can't have other people coming with them; they should only be coming alone. So, we're taking our time and spacing our patients apart."

Young said Magnificent Mile Family Dental has kept its patients up to date with the latest developments through email and text message, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"We're really vocal about what we're going to be doing next to protect our patients and our staff," she said.

West Loop resident Tina Archer had several dental appointments at Skyline Smiles of West Loop in June and described her visits as a positive experience.

“They instituted a no waiting room policy, have an online questionnaire, sanitize your hands and take your temperature and have reception behind plexiglass,” she said. “Everyone in the front office is in masks and the dentists and hygienists/assistants all have masks, shields and coveralls. They make you rinse with a peroxide solution and only use manual tools during cleanings.”

Hannah Tolman, a West Loop resident and patient at Dental Smiles of West Loop, said she felt “very comfortable” with the safety measures when she visited the practice for the first time in June.

In the week prior to her visit, Tolman said, the office sent her all of her forms via email so she could fill them out in advance. She had her temperature taken as soon as she arrived at the office, where both she and the administrative manager wore masks, and then headed to the exam room, where both the hygienist and doctor wore personal protective equipment.

“I observed everything being wiped down frequently and plenty of hand washing, although I'm sure that was in place before COVID,” she said. “Overall, it was a great experience where I spent as little time as possible waiting around, filling out forms, or touching common area items like chairs.”