DentaQuest Partnership, OSAP partner to create COVID-19 guide for dental patients

DentaQuest Partnership and OSAP Guide

The DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement, in partnership with oral health experts from the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP), has developed a new tool to answer questions frequently asked by patients who are considering scheduling a visit to the dentist.

The new guide, Dental Patient Care in the Era of COVID-19, is an adaptation of a provider-focused tool, Best Practices for Infection Control in Dental Clinics During the COVID-19 Pandemic, which was released by OSAP and the DentaQuest Partnership in June. The new guide explains to consumers how their dental experience will be different.

“It’s critical for patients to safely return to their preventive and non-emergency oral health care routines, and we want to help them understand what to expect and how to protect their health as they return to the dentist,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement and Catalyst Institute, Inc. “Dental providers have made important changes in the way they deliver care, and dental visits will have a continued focus on safety going forward. We hope this guide will provide people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their oral health.”

The guide outlines some of the infection control procedures that may be more noticeable to patients, such as enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols, plastic coverings in certain areas, and greater use of personal protective equipment by all office personnel.

“Dental clinics are reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, and patients may want to make appointments for routine care, but they also may be experiencing some uncertainty and fear,” said Michelle Lee, CPC, executive director of OSAP. “Ensuring that patients feel safe going to the dentist is crucial, and that they understand dentists are making changes and improvements to infection control and hygiene. By collaborating with the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement on this tool, patients will have the guidance they need.”

The guide also highlights new safety procedures that patients are likely to encounter before, during, and after their visit, including:

• Patients may receive a phone call before their visit, screening them for COVID-19 symptoms or asking questions about their proximity to people who have tested positive
• Patients may be asked to wait outside before their appointment, or come alone, in order to limit the number of people in the office
• Waiting areas may be set up in different ways, such as new barriers between the desk person and patients
• Staff will be wearing face shields, respirators, hair, and foot coverings
• Dental tools may be different
• Several days after the dental visit, patients may receive a follow-up call from the dental office, screening for COVID-19 symptoms

The sharable guide is designed for the majority of dental patients and is written at the 4-6 grade reading level. Dentists are encouraged to use this tool as a means to improve communication with patients as they navigate changes to their dental care experience.

A PDF copy of the guideline is available online here. For more on effective patient safety communication, register now to join the DentaQuest Partnership Webinar on Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. EST.