STERILIZATION AND INFECTION CONTROL
Dental consumer checklist for infection-control safety
The Florida Dental Association offers this safety checklist for dental patients to use to learn what steps dentists take to prevent the spread of infection. Patients are encouraged to review the checklist and talk to their dentists about these precautions during their dental visits.
These safety precautions support the infection-control guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of any and all infectious diseases in health-care settings.
This checklist is offered as a guide. Individual dental practices may adhere to slightly different, yet acceptable, infection-control procedures. Dental patients are encouraged to talk to their dentists about specific questions and concerns.
Hand washing and using gloves
Make sure the dentist and dental-team members (dental hygienist and assistant) wash their hands and put on a fresh pair of gloves before starting treatment.
Protective Clothing
Your dentist and dental team should wear protective clothing while they provide treatment. Clothing includes protective eyewear or a face shield and a clean clinic jacket or lab coat to cover street clothes.
Sterilization and disinfection
Ask your dentist and dental-team members how dental instruments, such as the hand-mirror, are sterilized and disinfected for each patient. Dental offices use various methods to kill bacteria and viruses. Many instruments are first scrubbed clean to remove debris and then they're sterilized in a steam autoclave or in a heat-pressurized oven. Instruments that cannot withstand such high temperatures are scrubbed clean, rinsed and then soaked in a disinfectant for a specific amount of time.
Office cleanliness
Look at the general cleanliness of the office, especially surfaces such as countertops, chairs, X-ray machines and light handles.
Dental handpieces
Ask your dentist how dental handpieces are cleaned. Handpieces include the mechanical instruments that are used in the dental office. Handpiece sterilization and disinfection are part of the American Dental Association's long-standing infection-control recommendations. Many dentists now have handpieces that can be heat sterilized. There are other acceptable methods by which your dentist may sterilize or disinfect handpieces. Your dentist can talk about this subject specifically.
Disposable items
Many dental materials such as gloves, masks, wipes, paper drapes, suction/water tube tips, needles and scalpel blades, are used only once and then disposed of properly. Using disposable items is another way that dentists maintain a clean and safe office.
Waste materials
Ask your dentist how waste materials are disposed of and handled. Needles and other sharp items should be disposed of in special puncture-proof containers. Other contaminated waste should be disposed of in special bags.
