To protect your health, we adhere to what is called "universal precautions." That means we use the same protective measures with every patient to prevent transmission of the virus that causes AIDS, Hepatitis or any other infectious disease.
- Wearing gloves, masks and protective eye wear for all patients treatment.
- Washing hands before and after treatment and changing gloves after each patient.
- Sterilizing dental instruments and hand pieces after each use.
- Using only sterile water for all our procedures.
- Cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces in the treatment room and equipment after each patient.
- Disposing of needles and other sharp items in special containers.
- Properly disposing of waste items and contaminated material.
Instruments that can withstand high temperatures are sterilized in a chemical autoclave by using steam under pressure in an oven-like environment. This method of heat sterilization kills the AIDS and Hepatitis viruses and other microscopic organisms capable of causing diseases. Other instruments that cannot be heated are disposable and are thrown away.
We use disinfection procedures on surfaces and equipment that cannot be removed for cleaning and sterilization, such as counter tops, drawer handles, x-ray unit heads and light handles. A chemical agent, registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a hospital disinfectant, is used in the dental office. The treatment room is disinfected between patients to assure that the operatory is absolutely clean for each patient.
You will also notice that we use disposable barriers on surfaces such as light handles, headrest covers and water syringes. Additionally all dental procedures are delivered with the use of sterile water rather than city water.