new protocols permanent or temp? how does this change things

[jeep69]

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will we be wearing N95masks and multiple gowns/increased PPE permanently or is this just a short time deal?
How is covid going to change our industry?

 

[DrJeff]

will we be wearing N95masks and multiple gowns/increased PPE permanently or is this just a short time deal?
How is covid going to change our industry?

Who knows.... Honestly so much of what being put forth now is more based on reactionary paranoia, than actual scientific principles.

Looks to say Germany and Sweden where they've been practicing pretty much as usual through this entire pandemic will help give some insight as to what is needed verses what is above and beyond.

For example in my own office, for emergencies the last 6 weeks or so since the shut down happened, I've been wearing an N95 mask (instead of my usual ASTM level 3 mask), a waterproof disposable down instead of a lab coat, and have in the last week or so, been experimenting with various types of face shields that work over/around my loupes.

My business partner has been much more drastic in his PPE choices. He has been dressed in full head to toe coverage that resembles what you see medical workers treating active ebola patients wearing. He is now saying that his choices do appear to be a bit overblown.

Time and understanding in real world settings over what is needed verses what is above and beyond, will show what our new reality of PPE is. My hunch is that it will look an awful lot like what we've been doing all along verses mega changes once science has the chance to objectively look at things

 

[TanMan]

will we be wearing N95masks and multiple gowns/increased PPE permanently or is this just a short time deal?
How is covid going to change our industry?

Unless the government mandates it, doing productive dentistry in this much PPE is very taxing on the body. I'd rather get the virus at some point than practicing with all this gear. I'd be glad to get rid of all this PPE if the government doesn't require it anymore. Currently, I sound like darth vader in a f'king windtunnel (with all the filters/suctions) trying to talk to my patient.

Also, I'm sweating a lot underneath all this and my AC units have to run at 66 for me to feel comfortable.

 

[DrJeff]

Unless the government mandates it, doing productive dentistry in this much PPE is very taxing on the body. I'd rather get the virus at some point than practicing with all this gear. I'd be glad to get rid of all this PPE if the government doesn't require it anymore. Currently, I sound like darth vader in a f'king windtunnel (with all the filters/suctions) trying to talk to my patient.

Also, I'm sweating a lot underneath all this and my AC units have to run at 66 for me to feel comfortable.

Agree!!

And working in an office with numerous peri-menopausal women, there's always been a "battle" with the thermostat as various waves of thermo-cycling hit, it certainly though seems that in the much more limited hours we've had in the office with all the added PPE on that the air conditioner side of the thermostat battle is winning out handily over the heating side, and up in CT where I am, we're just about to finish off one of the coolest April's on record, so it's not like it's been shorts and t-shirt weather by any means here to drive to desire to set the A/C down a few degrees in the office!! 🤣 🤣 😀😀

 

[TanMan]

Agree!!

And working in an office with numerous peri-menopausal women, there's always been a "battle" with the thermostat as various waves of thermo-cycling hit, it certainly though seems that in the much more limited hours we've had in the office with all the added PPE on that the air conditioner side of the thermostat battle is winning out handily over the heating side, and up in CT where I am, we're just about to finish off one of the coolest April's on record, so it's not like it's been shorts and t-shirt weather by any means here to drive to desire to set the A/C down a few degrees in the office!! 🤣 🤣 😀😀

My staff is complaining of inability to breathe due to the n95s and sweaty feet because of the shoe covers (too much safety and PPE, in their words).. The mask, I can't do so much, maybe I should buy bulk foot powder for them. Can't win them all, lol.