5 Tips for Maintaining Hygiene During Dental Procedures

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Good oral health is essential for the general well-being and quality of life. Keeping up with your dentist appointments can immediately ensure they catch any issues in your teeth and fix them. At times, when you visit the dentist, they may recommend emergency or planned dental treatment. 

For a patient, it is necessary to find medical centers that are professional and clean. However, dentists must follow practices that ensure hygiene during and after patient interaction. Good hygienic practices and well-defined infection control protocols are necessary to prevent the spread of disease. For all dental professionals out there, here are five essential tips that can ensure the best standards of hygiene before and after completion of oral treatments: 

1. Proper Hand Hygiene:

Proper hand hygiene helps control the spread of infections among patients and health practitioners. You must wash your hands with good soap and water before and after treating a patient. You should also keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers in your office and other clinic rooms so professionals and patients can sanitize their hands where washing hands is not possible. 

2. Proper Disinfection 

All the surfaces used in the treatment area should be adequately disinfected. A highly effective disinfectant that works against many pathogens should be selected. Areas at risk of high contamination, such as dental chairs, countertops, and equipment used during procedures, should be disinfected regularly or after each use. Designing a proper disinfection protocol would prevent infection transmission from these surfaces to staff or patients. 

3. Using Sterilized Equipment 

You should sterilize all dental instruments properly before use. A strict sterilization protocol should be designed and incorporated at the clinic or medical center. You can consider using an autoclave for sterilizing instruments, but as it operates at high pressure and temperature, an experienced operator is required. Properly sterilized equipment prevents cross-contamination between patients, reducing the risk of infection. 

4. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

You should wear appropriate medical grade gloves, masks, protective glasses, dental face shields, and gowns during dental procedures. Adequate PPE gear protects dental professionals against direct exposure to saliva, blood, or other infectious-causing substances. You must also change your gloves between patients and use new masks if the old mask becomes damp, as wet masks draw in debris and moisture. 

5. Proper Waste Management 

Implement a proper waste management and disposal system in dental centers to create a safe environment for staff and patients. Medical waste, such as used gloves, masks, and sharps, should be thrown into designated clinical waste bins immediately after use. Segregate dental waste according to internationally issued guidelines and dispose of it accordingly. 

For example, sharp objects such as needles, scalpels, and blades are disposed of in red or yellow puncture-resistant containers with an unremovable lid. Label the container with a biohazard symbol. Once full, contact a certified biomedical waste carrier for its disposal. 

Endnote

You and your patients can likely catch an infection while visiting a hospital or medical center. As a dental professional working in such places, you should practice proper hand washing and wear the necessary protective gear while examining patients or performing procedures. Doing so will protect yourself and your patients from catching an infection. 

After completing the procedure, you must dispose of medical waste according to internationally issued guidelines. You should also disinfect your space and equipment regularly to prevent contamination. Incorporating such practices will ensure you’re treating your patients in a safe environment, minimizing the risk of infection. 

This is a guest blog entry.