A hot news story this past week has revealed an investigation of an oral surgeon in Oklahoma who was allegedly using poor infection control practices. The investigation is questioning whether the dentist was putting his patients at risk of serious infections, such as hepatitis, by failing to follow proper infection control practices.
Exactly what are proper infection control practices for the dental office?
Infection control procedures are designed to protect patients and health care workers by preventing the spread of diseases like hepatitis and HIV.
Examples of these procedures include:
- Dentists and Staff wearing masks and gloves for each patient
- Dentists and Staff using surface disinfectants on all equipment related to patient care following each patient
- Properly sterilizing reusable dental devices following each patient
In addition to these everyday practices, dental health care practices are expected to follow procedures that are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
What specifically does our office do to protect our patients from the spread of diseases?
First and foremost, our dentists and staff have undergone extensive training in infection control procedures. We understand the importance of protecting our patients and ourselves. We treat our patients just like we would our family, especially since many of our own family members are treated in our dental office too!
As you visit our office, some of our infection control procedures are very noticeable while others are more “behind-the-scenes.”
The most obvious things you will see at our office are dentists and staff members wearing masks and gloves with every patient. You will also see our assistants diligently cleaning and decontaminating the examining areas (including the dental chair, dental light, instrument tray, drawer handles, and countertops) after every patient.
You may or may not walk by our sterilization area when visiting our office. This area is specifically designated for assistants who need to take instruments to be sterilized following each patient. Our office uses a steam autoclave for any reusable dental instruments which is tested weekly to make sure the autoclave is destroying all microorganisms, including bacterial spores (the most difficult microorganism to kill).
Our office also uses very detailed procedures for cleaning and sterilizing our handpieces (which are used for fillings) after each patient. To keep our waterlines clean, we use O-SO PURE, Inc who provides bacteria free water to the entire office through a dual filtration system with ultraviolet and reverse osmosis to provide the purest water possible (http://www.osopuredental.net/index.html).
When visiting our office, you may also see red sharps containers where any needles, glass vials, or other potentially sharp objects are placed to avoid exposure of our patients and staff to blood-borne pathogens.
Because many of us are mothers with our own children who bring home a multitude of “germs,” we have become very accustomed to one of the most important aspects of infection control: WASHING OUR HANDS. Every examination station/room has its own sink for us to clean our hands prior to and following each patient encounter. This has become a ritual for us – so much so that the skin on our hands seems to be wilting away!
Long story short, for any dental patient (which if you’re breathing and have a heart beat, you should be a dental patient somewhere!), it is important to make sure your dental office is following these infection control procedures. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask the staff – so that you can feel more comfortable while sitting in the dental chair. Who needs more dental anxiety anyway?
What’s important to remember is that a story like this one from Oklahoma is on the news and is making everyone talk is because it’s so rare! Most dentists take infection control very seriously so that you can rest in the dental chair in (a little bit more) peace. After all, your family’s health and safety are our foremost priority!
For more information on infection control in the dental office, you can visit the American Dental Association’s website at www.mouthhealthy.org and search the term “infection control” to see a video on this topic. This website is also a great way to learn more about good dental health for every age!
Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associates Pediatric Dentistry is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
The team at Atkins, Maestrello, Miller and Associates specializes in pediatric dentistry.
