Why Might Your Dentist Need to Clean Your Phone?

Things have been a lot different throughout the past year. You have been working from home, putting off large events, and even wearing a mask everywhere you go in order to help keep yourself and others safe from becoming sick. Your dentist is also taking numerous precautions to ensure that the office remains a safe place for patients. COVID-19 safety in Plano is a priority! However, there is an object that you take with you everywhere that could bring all sorts of germs into the practice – your phone! Continue reading so you can learn just how dirty your phone is and why your dentist might ask to clean it.

How Dirty Is Your Phone?

Throughout the day, you come into contact with lots of bacteria and viruses. You are touching shopping carts, gas pumps, doorknobs, elevator buttons, other people, and countless other things. But what is that thing you carry with you and are checking fairly frequently? Your phone! It is pretty much a petri dish that you keep in your purse or pocket. Your smartphone is about 7 times dirtier than your toilet is. Who knows what types of harmful bacteria and other organisms you could be carrying around with you?

In order to prevent these germs from spreading far and wide around the office, your dentist may opt to have your phone cleaned using a cool contraption that uses UV rays to kill bacteria. This way, you can continue on with your appointment with a fresh smartphone.

What Other Steps Is Your Dentist Taking to Keep You Safe?

Here are a few other safety precautions that your dental team is taking to keep you and others in the office in good health:

• Daily health checks: All team members will be given a quick set of questions and a no-contact temperature check each day to ensure that they can provide safe dental care to patients.
• Antimicrobial rinse: At the start of your visit, you will be giving an Oracare solution in order to kill some of the bacteria in your mouth before you receive treatment.
• Patient prescreening: Patients will be asked to complete a health questionnaire and complete a no-touch temperature check when visiting the office.
• Additional PPE: The team is wearing additional personal protective gear as an extra barrier in the office. This includes face shields, different masks, and other equipment.

During this time, it is important that we take extra steps in order to keep ourselves and each other safe, and that includes sanitizing the items you use most, like your phone!

About the Author

Dr. Andrew Kung earned his dental doctorate from the New York University College of Dentistry and has completed numerous continuing education courses. He achieved Fellowship status from the Academy of General Dentistry and is a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. His team is taking 17 additional steps in order to keep the practice as safe as possible during this time. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (972) 964-3800.