For many, visiting a dentist in Bellingham is like visiting a second home, especially if they have been going to that dentist for many years and even multiple generations! However, while dentists love greeting their patients with hugs and friendly handshakes, it’s much better to be safe rather than sorry in the age of COVID-19. For this reason, it’s important to consider other ways to greet and get in contact with a dentist however you can. Here are just a few ways to do that to help you get started!

Tele-Dentistry

In an increasingly digital world, careers are more capable of becoming remote than ever before. While it does not work for literally all cases in medicine, there are many benefits that come with tele-dentistry. For example, if you have a dental concern, but you aren’t quite sure if it constitutes as a dental emergency, making a video call is a great way to get in touch with a dentist and quell any concerns.

Additionally, performing basic exams can be far more doable if you are currently sick or at a higher risk for becoming seriously ill due to a pre-existing condition. As an added bonus, you can reduce the amount of time needed to travel to the office, lower transportation costs, and ensure more time is allotted for work or school along the way.

Unique Greetings That Minimize Touch

At the end of the day, it’s important to minimize touch via handshakes and hugs, both of which can easily cause a large transfer of germs in a short period of time. If you’re having your next dental appointment and you want to show appreciation for your dentist without touching hands, consider bumping elbows instead! For an even more sanitary greeting, you and the dentist can tap the sides of each other’s shoes.

Greetings that Require No Touch at All

While fist and elbow bumps are trendy and effective, there are even more effective ways to reduce direct contact with your dentist. For example, as is very popular in India, you can put your hands together and say “namaste”, which means hello and goodbye. In Japan, it’s very common to perform a slight bow, both in formal and informal settings.

All in all, it’s always fine to wave at your dentist as well. The most important thing is staying safe and healthy, and greetings and methods of communication that minimize contact and increase distance can make a difference in the fight against COVID-19!

About Moreno & Young Dental

While the dentists at Moreno & Young Dental care very deeply about everyone that enters their office and love greeting them with handshakes and hugs, ensuring the health and safety of their patients is a much higher priority. The next time you see them, feel free to get creative when it comes to your next greeting. To schedule an appointment or learn more about teledentistry, contact them through their website!