A new survey by the American Dental Association indicates that less than 1 percent of dentists nationwide have tested positive for COVID-19. Experts say that’s because of safety policies and disinfectant practices dental offices have had for decades. Experts add that dental health is important not only for your teeth but also because dental infections can lead to other ailments, including heart disease. Even during a pandemic, it’s still safe to go to the dentist. That’s what the American Dental Association is telling the public. The organization published a study today that reports that less than 1 percent of dentists nationwide have been found to be COVID-19 positive, which is far less than that of other health …
Covid-19 – Our New Safety Equipment, Protocols & Procedures
As you are reading this, know first and foremost, we hope you and your family are doing well during these uncertain times. As our office has started to see patients again, we are often asked if it's safe to go to the dentist. Honestly, during the two and a half months we closed our office, Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant wondered the same thing. When the pandemic first came about there were so many uncertainties about how it spread. As the Covid-19 situation has unfolded, the scientific community has narrowed how the disease does spread. Using this information and after many hours of reading CDC, OSHA and a variety of dental association recommendations, Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant both felt it was possible to safely reopen the office if …
Coronavirus: How we all can make a difference in Our Beaufort Community
While I am far from an expert in Infectious Disease or Public Health, I have been actively monitoring developments and attempting to synthesize information from credible sources. I hope this summary helps put many of the pieces of this puzzle together. While we have no control over governmental responses to COVID-19, each of us can play a significant role in protecting ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors, our communities ,and yes, contribute to overall public health. I think this message is being lost in all the noise surrounding coverage of the disease. Let me stress: Each of us can contribute to the well-being of others by following simple precautions. Let me explain. Due to the tremendous successes of our Public Health …
Coronavirus Update
Dear Valued Patients, we will be doing our best to keep our doors open during these cautious times and plan to keep all scheduled appointments. We care deeply about your health and well being. We have been closely monitoring recommendations from the CDC as well as the American Dental Association. Due to these recommendations, we ask that If you have flu or cold-like symptoms such as a cough or fever, newly developed shortness of breath, or if you have recently traveled to an area outside the US with known Coronavirus (COVID-19) or been in contact with someone who has traveled or contracted the virus, please call us at 843-986-0177 to reschedule your appointment. While our staff follows strict infection …
Infection Control
Infection control is a set of recommended safety precautions that dentists put in place to protect patients and their staff. Many dental procedures involve direct contact with blood and saliva. Strict infection control helps to stop the spread of disease. Improved infection control procedures call for most of the instruments and supplies that your dentist uses to be either heat-sterilized or disposable. Do all dentists practice infection control? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires that all employees who may come in contact with blood must be trained about proper infection control procedures. The dental board in your state also may have additional rules that your dentist must …