Infection Control Systems
 We
realize that patients today have many concerns about the safety of receiving
their medical and dental care. We understand your concern and would like to
share with you some of the things we're doing to protect both you and us.
Infection control is the
term used to describe the prevention of any disease transmission from
the patient to the staff, the staff to the patient, and from one patient
in the practice to another patient.
Any
infection control procedure not only protects us, the health-care
provider, but also protects you, the patient.
Among the
precautions we take are:
1. Autoclave -
steam sterilization
All
instruments capable of withstanding high heat are autoclaved
(steam-sterilized) which kills infectious bacteria and viruses. The autoclaves are tested weekly to insure
that they are operating properly.
2. Chemical disinfection
All items
that cannot tolerate high heat, such as plastics, are disinfected in a
chemical solution formulated to kill infectious bacteria and viruses.
3. Handpieces
All handpieces ("drills") and
burs ("drill bits") are
autoclaved (see #1) after each use.
4. One-time
use items
Many items
are single-use and are disposed of after each patient. This
includes all syringes (needles) and saliva ejectors (the plastic tips on
the suction tube which are placed in the mouth to remove saliva).
5. Disposable Instruments
The rubber cups which hold the paste used to polish your teeth are disposed of after each visit. The attachment which holds it on the
handpiece, called a prophy angle, is
disposable and discarded after each use.
6. Disposable
gloves and masks
Gloves and
masks are worn to prevent transmission of disease between you and us
(both ways), as well as providing protection from transmitting any
diseases between you and another patient in the office. Gloves are never used on more than one
patient.
7. Surface
decontamination and barriers
All
surfaces (counter tops, dental chair, light handles, etc.) are
disinfected with a chemical solution again formulated to kill infectious
bacteria, spores, and viruses.
Barriers (paper covers etc.) are used whenever possible.
8. Glasses
We wear
glasses to protect our eyes from contamination as well as injury.
We
continually monitor our procedures for compliance with OSHA, Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), and American Dental Association recommendations.
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