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Know more about your Dental
treatment and the methods of
dental treatment.
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Infection Control
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Standards and Best Practice
With all of the increased media attention on infection outbreaks such as
AIDS and multi-drug resistant strains of viruses, it's no wonder people have
heightened concerns about infection control during a medical procedure.
Gloves, gowns and masks are required to be worn in all dentist offices
today, a far cry from just a few decades ago, when fewer than one-third of
all dentists even wore such personal protective equipment, or PPE. After
each patient visit, disposable PPE-such as gloves, drapes, needles, and
scalpel blades-are thrown away, hands are washed, and a new pair of gloves
used for the next patient.
All hand instruments used on patients are washed, disinfected and/or
sterilized with chemicals or steam after each use.
One of the most effective methods for preventing disease
transmission-washing one's hands-is practiced in our office. It is routine
procedure to wash hands at the beginning of the day, before and after glove
use, and after touching any surfaces that may have become contaminated.
Water Quality and Biofilms
Concerns about the quality of water used in a dentist's office are
unfounded, provided the dentist follows the infection control guidelines of
the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association.
Some health "experts" in recent years have called into question the risks
associated with so-called "biofilms," which are thin layers of microscopic
germs that collect on virtually any surface. Essentially, these bacteria and
fungi occur everywhere, including faucets in your home; your body is no less
accustomed to being exposed to them than in any other situations.
In fact, no scientific evidence has linked biofilms with disease. If you
have a compromised or weakened immune system, you are susceptible to germs
everywhere. Consequently, let our office know if you have such a condition
so additional precautions, if any, can be taken. |
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