Sterilization Protocol

Your health and safety when you visit our office is our primary concern! We make sure that the proper controls and precautions are in place to protect both our valued clients and our staff. We practice high levels of sanitation and dental sterilization to provide you with the safest possible environment.

Rest assured that we employ state of the art practices and protocols in cleaning dental instruments and in dental office sterilization. We are committed to providing you with the highest quality of care in the safest possible environment.

What practices do we employ to ensure your safety?

Our staff is extensively trained to follow the procedures recommended by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We take their recommendations seriously and incorporate best practices into our regular routine.

We employ the latest dental sterilization equipment and machines, including dental autoclaves, dental sterilizers, and steam sterilizers. Cleaning dental instruments via these machines kills bacteria and viruses by applying pressure, steam, and heat.

In addition, we make sure that surfaces are safe and clean by employing the use of:

• Gloves and face masks for both staff and clients
• Ensuring disinfectant hand soap is available throughout the office
• Using disposable materials whenever possible
• Cleaning countertops and surfaces with chemical disinfectants
• Sterilizing all equipment after and before every use

You’ll see us using these best practices during your visit. All of our clinical staff wear gloves and masks during procedures and examinations. These are discarded after every use, and all surfaces in exam rooms are cleaned and sanitized using EPA approved chemicals.

Disposable Materials

Most, if not all of the instruments we use in our patient care are disposable. These include gloves, face shields, masks, gowns, and many of the things used in the exam itself, like gauze, brushes, and floss. Such items are safely discarded after every use.

Our staff is trained in best practices when using and handling disposable materials, making sure they are properly stored, properly used, and properly disposed of.

Reusable Instruments

The instruments that are used in procedures and exams that can’t be discarded are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each use. We use the process below to make sure proper dental sterilization practices are followed:

• Clean : All instruments are thoroughly cleaned before moving to the sterilization step. Cleaning is performed using ultrasonic cleaners, which make sure that all bacteria, germs and other debris are completely removed.
• Package : Once clean, instruments are wrapped in appropriate packaging prior to sterilization. They are kept sealed in packages until ready for use.
• Sterilization : Once safely packaged, instruments are sterilized using approved FDA machines, like dental autoclave sterilizers.
• Disinfect : after every use, all of our machines and surfaces are thoroughly disinfected using EPA approved surface cleaners.

Once cleaned, packaged, and sterilized, all of our instruments are stored safely until ready for use! Our dental sterilization process and protocol follow the best practices and make sure that your only concern when visiting our office is how good your smile is going to look when you leave.

Training and Our Commitment to Our Clients

Your trust and confidence that we are providing you with the safest environment possible is the cornerstone of our practice. Our staff undergoes training in cleaning techniques every two years to make sure that they practice the most up-to-date techniques.

We regularly update our systems and procedures following the guidance of the American Dental Association and the CDC. If you ever have any questions, always ask! We can provide you with detailed descriptions and more information about the steps we take to protect you and your family from bacteria, viruses, and other infectious diseases.

Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns, and we look forward to seeing you soon!