Addressing The Risk of Cross Infection in Dental Practices

Keeping our Derby dental patients safe.

As you might expect, operating a hygienic dental practice is one of the key requisites for any dentist. Whilst hygiene standards might vary across the world; in the west, and the UK in particular, the standards that have to be met are very high indeed. There is a good reason for this. Cross infection is a very serious matter and can, in worse case scenarios, result in severe illnesses. Even lesser illnesses, such as minor stomach bugs though, can cause time to be taken from work and therefore need be eradicated as far as possible.

Cross infection

Cross infection occurs when microorganisms are transferred between people either directly or indirectly. So theoretically, such transfer could occur via dental equipment which is not thoroughly cleaned. Not only this, but the dental team themselves can also breath in organisms during a procedure, especially where a high speed drill is used to displace decay for example. Poor use of sterilisation facilities and incorrect wearing of masks and gloves, or not using them at all, may well result in cross infection.

Prevention

At Darren Bywater Dental Care, we have ensured that our practice is fully equipped to meet very stringent requirements when it comes to a patient’s safety, with cross infection prevention being very high on the list.

Our dental team will ALWAYS use masks and gloves to prevent contamination being passed either from dentist to patient, or patient to dentist. The gloves and masks are then disposed off after a single use. Hand disinfectant is also used between patients to add an additional layer of protection.

Sterilisation

Naturally, to use dental equipment such as a drill head once only, would prove to be extremely expensive and result in significantly higher dental charges. However, as these can transfer viruses and other microorganisms, effective sterilisation of all dental equipment must take place. To this end, we have ensured that we have highly efficient and specialised washers, heaters and disinfecting equipment here in our Derby practice. These ensure that all dental equipment that is used by Dr Darren Bywater and his team, is thoroughly sterilised and free from infections.

Deep clean

As well as the equipment that we use, we also ensure that the practice is deep cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that all surfaces of the practice, and especially those in the dental treatment rooms, are thoroughly clean and sterile. Our staff too also undergo regular and continual training regarding dental hygiene and current best practices in patient care.

If you have any concerns about safety or hygiene at Darren Bywater Dental Care, we do want to hear from you and can be contacted by calling us on 01332 550926.

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