Sterilization

 

Basic safety measures         
All doctors wear disposable masks and gloves when treating patients. After contact with each patient, the gloves are removed and discarded and are never reused for another patient. Gloves are removed or "overgloved" if the treatment of a patient is temporarily interrupted. We wash our hands and then put on a new pair of gloves before treating another patient. 
Wherever disposable (single use) items can be used, they are. We use as many plastic covers as possible. All suction tips, saliva ejectors, water glasses, headrest covers and light handle covers are disposed of and replaced between patients.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Examining Room 
Between each patient, the treatment rooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. First, all debris is wiped off of all countertops and any surface that may have been contaminated. Then, a disinfectant is sprayed on all surfaces. 

Sterilization of Dental Instruments 
All the instruments are cleaned and soaked in a sterilizing liquid and put through a system of ultrasonic scrubbing. Then, they are dried and packaged and heat sterilized in a large, pressurized oven, after which these sterilized instruments are kept in an ultraviolet ray’s chamber to keep them sterilized. This insures the instruments are not contaminated before they are actually set-up in the treatment room. We test our sterilization units frequently to make sure that they are working properly. 
Every patient receives a new compliment of sterilized instruments and disposables for each procedure. All needles and cartridges used for local anesthesia are never reused and are discarded in special containers. 
To reduce the risk of contamination, all cotton rolls, cotton pellets and gauze used in our operatories are sterilized and stored in quantities convenient for use. 

Special Cleaning of Dental Handpieces 
After each use, we follow special procedures for cleaning our hand pieces (the dental drills). The handpiece is flushed with water and scrubbed with detergent and hot water. A cleaner/lubricant is sprayed into the handpiece. The handpiece is then sterilized using special piece of equipment called an autoclave. 

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any further questions concerning our sterilization methods