Knowing the impact COVID-19 has on our world today, Lane & Associates Family Dentistry(LAA) has decided to join in the research to improve our tomorrow. As of Fall 2021, LAA will be partnering with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), in the trial of their latest reusable elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs).
Lane & Associates Family Dentistry is proud and excited to incorporate the use of EHMRs across all 40 of its dental offices over the next several months. These EHMRs are unique because they are designed with replaceable air-filtering cartridges to prevent the spread of airborne illnesses from practitioner to the patient and vice versa.
Respirators are the standard protection device used in many industries. But their use in healthcare is unique in that a constant supply is always needed, especially during times of public health crisis. The durability and reusability of EHMRs make them desirable during product shortages for public health emergencies and challenges.
What will these respirators mean for me?
These EHMRs will only be worn by clinical staff members in our offices and will not affect your dental appointments at LAA. However, we will continue to ask that all patients who enter our facilities wear their face coverings as has been our COVID policy since May 2020.
How long will LAA be wearing the respirators?
Our clinical team members who elected to test the masks will be wearing these for the next few months. Although these masks may look cumbersome, we believe they could have life-saving effects during any subsequent pandemics, especially for those in the healthcare industry.
