Why is My Dentist Wearing a Face Shield?

The best way to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 is to practice social distancing. This may cause you to feel nervous if you need dental care during quarantine. Thankfully, dentists across the nation are raising their ambitious sanitation standards to ensure their patients are safe when they receive treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The next time you visit your Pleasant Grove dentist, you may notice a new addition to their work wardrobe: a face shield. Find out why this piece of personal protective equipment could become the new normal at your dentist’s practice

The Importance of PPE in COVID-19

We know that COVID-19 is transmitted when infected respiratory droplets come in contact with another person’s mouth, nose, or eyes. This means that medical professionals like dentists who perform procedures that generate splashing, spattering, or aerosols are at a very high risk of getting sick. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect these vulnerable areas on the wearer from any infectious particles they may come in contact with. You’ve probably seen your dentist wear PPE like gloves, eyewear, and masks during your routine appointments.

Advantages of Face Shields

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, another piece of PPE is being used more frequently: the face shield. This clear plastic visor is attached to the head via an adjustable hand and covers most of the face. While face masks and eyewear aim to protect the eyes, nose, and mouth, advantages of face shields include:

• More comfortable, retain less dermal facial heat, and are less claustrophobic.
• They don’t impede normal speaking or breathing.
• Can be easily donned, doffed, and disinfected regularly.

Additional Safety Precautions

Face shields are especially useful in protecting the wearer from splashes or spatters of body fluid. However, since they don’t form an airtight seal, the wearer can still potentially inhale infected respiratory droplets. Thankfully, a face shield can easily be used in conjunction with a variety of different types of masks. Additionally, a face shield can be easily taken off and cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants between patients.

Even after the threat of COVID-19 passes, you may still see your dentist wearing a face shield during your appointment. While they may look a little unusual at first, this extra layer of protection plays a key role in preventing the spread of infection.

About the Practice

Our highly experienced team at Bear Creek Dental in Pleasant Grove, TX has always followed the infection control procedures recommended by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have added a variety of additional safety protocols in order to keep our patients, staff, and community safe. To find out more about face shields and other pieces of PPE our team will be using at your next appointment, feel free to contact us via our website or at (214) 381-3800.