To keep themselves and their loved ones safe from the COVID-19 pandemic, healthy habits and sanitation standards are on everyone’s mind. If you need to visit your dentist after weeks in quarantine, you may be asking yourself how they keep all those devices that get close to your mouth germ-free. Thankfully, dental practices have always been excellent at maintaining high standards of infection control and sanitation protocols. Read on to learn a few different ways your Midlothian dentist and their team keeps their instruments clean during COVID-19.
Utilizing Single-Use Tools
Now more than ever, it’s essential that the instruments your dentist uses to clean your mouth are kept impeccably germ-free, especially between patients. To completely eliminate the chance of spreading infection, some dental tools are designed to be single use only. Items like needles and suction tube tips are used for one patient, then disposed of in a safe, hygienic manner that adheres to American Dental Association guidelines.
Sterilizing Reusable Instruments
However, not all dental instruments are disposable. Reusable tools like mouth mirrors, dental scalers, handpieces (drills), and forceps are sterilized with special machines according to specific procedures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended sterilization methods include using an autoclave (steam under pressure), dry-heat oven, or chemical vapor (or chemiclave). Not only do these methods thoroughly sterilize non-disposable tools, but they are also tested regularly to ensure they’re always working properly.
Disinfecting the Entire Practice
There are plenty of other tools in a dentist’s examination room that need to be kept clean as well, even if they don’t come in contact with your mouth. Anything you or your dentist touches needs to be regularly disinfected to prevent the spread of microorganisms. Objects like countertops, drawer handles, switches, faucets, keyboards, and doorknobs are routinely cleaned with hospital-grade disinfecting products to wipe out any lingering germs. Some objects like the dental light and examination chair are draped with a plastic cover, which is then replaced after each patient leaves.
Your health and safety have always been your dentist’s number one concerns, and they will continue to be throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many of the newly added sanitation steps happen behind the scenes, you can rest assured that your dental team is going above and beyond to keep your smile and their tools as clean as possible.
About the Practice
Our team at Marvel Dental in Midlothian, TX is proud to share our on-going commitment to safety. As the COVID-19 pandemic situation evolves, so too will our safety response in order to put the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community first. While we have always met the highest standards of equipment sterilization, we are adding even more steps to our routine infection control protocols to keep you as safe and healthy in our office as possible. If you’d like to learn more about our commitment to safety during COVID-19, feel free to contact us via our website or at (682) 772-3072.