by Teamwork guides industry response to COVID-19
With so much uncertainty in the world these days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for DSOs and dental providers to have outstanding staffs. Hygienists, dental assistants and office staff all play a vital role in making dental offices the best they can be.
In “Ready for Prime Time,” Jennifer Rush, RDH, BSDH, director of dental hygiene at DecisionOne Dental Partners, talks about hygienists being clinicians, not just team members. Patients see their hygienist more than their dentist, so hygienists must be integral to a dentist office in every way, from keeping up with growing technology demands to knowing all of the office safety protocols, especially in today’s pandemic environment and a post-pandemic world.
In our COVID-19 response article, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP) provide guidelines and toolkits for DSOs and dental providers returning to the office as states reopen their economies. The ADA’s Advisory Task Force on Dental Practice Recovery began meeting in April with the overall goal of helping dentists get back to serving their communities while protecting patients, office staff and themselves.
The ADA’s “Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit” includes a comprehensive checklist for dentists to use while reopening their practices. To further help dental office staffs, OSAP has provided webinars on N95 masks and other respirators in dental settings, and proper steps for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE). Meanwhile, Aspen Dental shares their procedures for welcoming back their patients amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
As you reopen your offices or begin plans to reopen, please remember that Efficiency in Group Practice is here to provide you the insight into industry experts as well as how everyone is rallying back from mandatory isolation nationwide. We know you will follow the proper protocols in reopening, providing the utmost protection to your patients, your staff and yourselves. We welcome you back with open arms.
