Sterilization and cleanliness have always been staples of dentistry. Dentists and their teams work hard to maintain safe, disinfected environments for their patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their dedication to safety is more important than ever. Dental teams all across the country are ramping up their already strict sanitation guidelines to make sure that patients can get the care they need at no risk to their health. Read on to learn how your emergency dentist in Richmond and their team thoroughly sanitize their dental instruments.
The Sterilization Process
Organizations like the CDC, EPA, and OSHA recommend stringent guidelines to maximize sterilization and eliminate cross-contamination in dental offices. Instruments are sterilized after each use and disposable tools are used as often as possible.
The ADA recommends that non-disposable tools, such as mirrors and scalers, be disinfected in an autoclave. Autoclaves use high-pressured steam to completely sterilize these instruments. They are placed into a sterilization pouch and put into the autoclave for a predesignated amount of time. The sterilization pouches are specially designed to change color when the instruments inside them are completely disinfected. This guarantees that tools will not accidentally be used before they are sterile. Practices have their autoclaves routinely inspected to make sure that they are functioning properly.
Disposable tools, such as gloves, masks, and syringes also help to ensure your safety. Since they are designed for a single use and then properly disposed of, they completely eliminate the possibility of contamination that comes when tools are used multiple times.
Office Sanitation
In addition to disinfecting all of their instruments after each use, dental professionals also clean their operatories after each appointment. They make sure to sterilize each exposed surface, including countertops, faucets, lights, doorknobs, and the dental chair. This means that between the sterilized instruments, the disinfected room, and their protective gear, your dentist is doing everything possible to create a secure space for your dental treatment.
Your safety is your dentist’s top priority. They are going to great lengths to make sure that every precaution has been taken to protect you both from COVID-19 and the germs that you are exposed to every day. The next time you have a dental appointment, you can relax knowing that you are completely safe.
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Brown wants his practice to be a safe haven for his patients. He is dedicated to creating beautiful smiles and changing lives through his dentistry. He graduated from dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University and has spent decades continuing his education. He has studied at renowned institutions like the Las Vegas Institute and takes great pride in staying on the forefront of the dental field. To learn more about how Dr. Brown and the rest of his team at BRSL Dentistry maintain a safe office, give them a call at (804) 288-5324 or send them an email.