Highlights
- Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases.
- Services are provided
- Balancing necessary services with minimizing risk to patients and dental healthcare personnel during the pandemic and implementing specific infection control practices.
Santa Clara County, CA. Oral health is a window to overall health and more important than many people realize. Problems in the mouth can affect the rest of the body. To support the health and well-being of the patients we serve, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Hospital and Clinics opened a new dental clinic.
(paragraph about Santa Clara Valley Dentalcare El Camino including when it opened, location, services are provided, who it serves)
Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases. And certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body's resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe. The body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. But without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral and other health problems.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, dental settings need to balance providing necessary services with minimizing risk to patients and dental healthcare personnel. Dental settings have unique characteristics that warrant specific infection control considerations.
Our dental clinics are prioritizing the most critical dental services and providing care in a way that minimizes harm to patients from delaying care and harm to personnel and patients from potential exposure to COVID-19 infection.
- Staff are given a temperature check and questioned about symptoms daily.
- Patients are asked to stay at home if sick. Patients are also given a temperature checks prior to their appointment.
- Anyone with a temperature over 100.0°F is sent home.
Because Santa Clara County is an area with moderate community transmission, when seeing patients not suspected of having a COVID-19 infection, the clinic follows CDC recommendations for dental healthcare personnel:
- Wear eye protection in addition to their facemask to ensure the eyes, nose, and mouth are all protected from exposure to respiratory secretions during patient care encounters, including those where splashes and sprays are not anticipated.
- Use an N95 respirator or a respirator that offers an equivalent or higher level of protection during aerosol generating procedures.