How We Protect You...
Answers About Instrument Sterilization and Infection Control Procedure

Protecting you is a priority to us...
Because of the nature of dental practice, the potential for infection does exist. Protecting you from infection is a priority to us, so we want you to understand the many ways we ensure your safety.

Universal precautions
Because there are many different diseases that are contagious (can be transmitted from one person to another), and because often we do not know when a person is infected, we must assume that every encounter has the potential for harm. For that reason, we follow guidelines known as universal precautions.

Universal precautions are recommended by The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta as well as The American Dental Association. Following universal precautions means that we treat all patients as though they may be potentially infectious. This basically means that we eliminate the possibility of passing a disease from one patient to another. Precautions are also taken to elimate the possibility of transmitting a disease from a dental worker to a patient.

What specific steps are taken to control infection?
There are many possible sources of infection in the dental care environment. That is why we pay particular attention to general cleanliness, disinfection, sterilization, and even the use of protective clothing when needed.

Surface disinfection
All surfaces that might possibly come into contact with saliva, blood, or other infection-carrying materials are disinfected with approved chemicals between each patient.

Cleaning and sterilization of instruments
Any instruments that are not disposable are cleaned thoroughly and/or sterilized according to approved methods to prevent infection by contaminated instruments.

Maintaining water lines that are free of contamination
Dental unit water systems are designed with special valves and certain disposable parts to ensure that the water supply for each patient is free from disease-causing agents.

Selection of equipment that reduces the possibility of contamination
Modern equipment greatly reduces the possibility of contamination and infection., For instance, the use of suction devices to drain fluids from the mouth greatly reduces splatter that would result from spitting excess water from the mouth. Disposable suction tips (disposed after each patient) also contribute to infection control.

Protecting the dental worker from contamination
Because of the possibility of cross-contamination (the dental worker acquiring a disease agent from a patient, then transmitting it to another patients), the dental worker must protect himself or herself in order to protect both you and other patients. Each individual dental care situation carries certain risks and the dental worker takes the recommended precautions for the specific situation.

For instance, dental workers wear gloves if they expect their hands to be exposed to saliva that may contain blood. In that way, the worker is protected from "catching" a disease from a patient. The patient is also protected against disease that might be transmitted to the patient from the worker's hands.

Similary, if splashes or splatters are anticipated during dental care, eye goggles or a mask may be worn by the dental worker.

Since some of the most serious diseases (such as HIV) are transmitted through blood and body fluids, dentists now consider that all saliva might be contaminated with blood, especially during dental procedures, and take precautions accordingly.

Sanitation
A long approved method of reducing the possibility of infection is simple hand washing. You'll notice that all dental workers wash their hands between each patient encounter.

In summary...
We protect you in many different ways including:
Use of disposables, when possible
Selection of equipment designed to prevent contamination
Approved disposal methods for contaminated waste
Surface disinfection of contaminated surfaces
Care and maintenance of safe dental water supply lines
Vaccination of dental workers
Hand washing to reduce bacteria in folds and grooves of skin
Gloves to prevent direct contamination as well as cross-infection
Protective eyewear

Rest assured that your visits to the dentist are safe! Everything possible is done to protect you from infection.

No one should avoid the dentist becasue of fear of infection. If you have question about infection control in this office setting, please ask us. We will be glad to answer your questions. We believe that an informed patient contributes to the care process. Working with your dentist, you can obtain the highest possible level of dental health.