Providing dental care in a clean and safe environment is of paramount importance at our office. Maintaining strict infection control protocols protect you, your family, and our team.
Our infection control protocols follow the best practices guidelines provided by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, Ontario Public Health, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and OSHA-the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The following are measures we take to protect against infectious diseases.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All of our staff wear the appropriate PPE for their respective roles. This includes: protective eyewear, masks, face shields, and non-latex gloves. Hands are washed and disinfected with germicidal soap or alcohol based hand sanitizer prior to providing patient care. Gloves and masks are changed for every patient. Patients are also provided with protective eyewear during our procedures and we often use rubber dam isolation to prevent ingestion of dental materials.
Equipment Sterilization
All reusable equipment such as, dental drills, hygiene handpieces, and teeth cleaning and filling instruments are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and heat sterilized prior to reuse. This process kills ALL bacteria and viruses. Our sterilizers are biologically tested daily and maintained by our staff and third party companies to ensure proper function. In addition, all sterilized instruments are contained in protective packs until use. Chemical indicators are contained in each instrument pack. These indicators monitor and indicate that sterilization parameters have been reached during the sterilization process in each pack of instruments.
Disposable single use materials are used whenever possible. All non-sterilizable materials and equipment such as needles, suction tips, and sundries are appropriately disposed of after single use.
Counter tops, chairs and office surfaces are thoroughly cleaned between patients with hospital grade disinfectants and high-touch surfaces, such as door knobs and counters, are disinfected regularly throughout the day.
Dental Unit Waterlines are flushed thoroughly- daily and between patients, and are treated with an anti-biofilm water disinfectant. Our outgoing suction lines are also filtered in accordance with provincial law to protect our environment.
Education
Our dentists and staff regularly take continuing education courses that highlight best practices in infection control.
Questions? If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Kaydental.
