Hygienist Weekly spotlight on Whitney Holmes as infection control coordinator
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and local dental hygienist Whitney Holmes is encouraging people to take care of their teeth — even during a pandemic.
Holmes studied at West Liberty University and is now a registered dental hygienist at Monongalia County Health Department Dentistry in Morgantown. Holmes is also the office infection control coordinator for the practice.
She is featured in Hygienist Spotlight in the Hygienist Weekly newsletter.
Holmes was praised by a coworker, Tiffany Summerlin, who nominated her for the Hygienist Spotlight.
“During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was instrumental in providing guidance to our public health dentistry practice so that we could provide the safest care possible to our patients while considering the health of our staff,” Summerlin said of Holmes in the newsletter.
Holmes willingly accepts responsibility for the safety of the patients and staff at MCHD Dentistry.
“As MCHD Dentistry’s infection control coordinator, it is my responsibility to work with our team to make sure our patients and we as employees are safe,” Holmes said. “We have implemented new safety standards that are followed to their entirety.”
The new safety standards introduced by Holmes and her coworkers include daily temperature checks for employees, routine screening questions for patients the day before their scheduled appointment, the requirement of face masks being worn at all times in the office, plastic barriers on surfaces and the implementation of N95 masks, face shields, gloves, goggles and protective outerwear for all employees to wear that must be changed after each patient visit.
These safety protocols are extensive, but Holmes wants patients and staff alike to feel safe during their time at MCHD Dentistry.
“Anxiety during these unprecedented times comes hand-in-hand with leaving your house for any reason, especially entering medical offices,” Holmes said. “Just know that your providers are doing everything they can to make sure you are safe at your appointments, as well as keeping people that are sick or not well out of the office.”
Holmes and the other employees of MCHD Dentistry came up with the new safety precautions and protocols during March and April, when the office was shut down at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and mandated quarantine. When the office reopened in May, the staff had a plan ready to encourage patients to return to the office.
“Dental hygiene is extremely important,” said Holmes. “Oral health is directly related to overall systemic health. It is vital that everyone take care of their teeth daily and go to the dentist and get a checkup regularly to make sure their teeth and gums are healthy.”
Poor dental hygiene can result in gums being affected by periodontal disease, which is often a warning of other conditions, including cardiovascular/heart disease, diabetes and strokes, according to Holmes.
Holmes is grateful for her feature in the newsletter and to those who made it possible.
“I think it was awesome to be recognized and feel appreciated for all the work that has gone in to making our dental office safe during coronavirus,” said Holmes. “I cannot say thanks enough for the nomination and to work with such a great team that has been so open and willing to take on these new procedures and protocols for the safety of themselves, their families and our patients.”
In observation of National Dental Hygiene Month, Holmes shared some tips on how to keep teeth in tip-top shape.
“As always, it’s very important to brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice daily, floss every day and limit sugary drinks and foods,” Holmes said. “People are wearing masks and that can cause them to breathe more through their mouths, so keeping the teeth and gums as clean as possible is critical. Remember to visit your dentist two times a year for a dental checkup and cleaning — it is vital to your overall health,” Holmes urged.
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