G.W. Schamback runs Perfect Smile Dental in Stuart, Florida. Here, he explains how dentists, including his practice, keep patients safe and help them avoid infection during dental procedures.
Here at Perfect Smile Dental, it’s important for us to keep our customers safe and satisfied with their visit. For patient comfort, we provide vibrating chairs and an excellent, experienced staff. My hygienist, for example, has worked for me for 25 years and some of my assistants have been with me for 16 years.
At our dental practice, we put the same effort into your hygiene as we do into your comfort. With all the increased media attention on infection outbreaks these days, it’s no wonder people have heightened concerns about infection control during medical procedures.
All dental offices today require their staff to wear gloves, gowns, and masks — a far cry from just a few decades ago, when fewer than one-third of all dentists wore this type of personal protective equipment. After each patient visit, dentists are required to dispose of items such as gloves, drapes, needles, and scalpel blades, as well as wash their hands and put on a pair of new gloves for the next patient.
All hand instruments used on patients are required to be washed, disinfected, andor sterilized with chemicals or steam after each use. And, of course, our office practices one of the most effective methods for preventing disease transmission — washing our hands. We routinely wash our hands at the beginning of the day, before and after glove use, and after touching any surfaces that may have become contaminated.
Water Quality and Biofilms
Concerns about the quality of the water used in a dentist’s office are unfounded, provided the dentist follows the infection control guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association.
In recent years, some health “experts” have questioned the risks associated with so-called “biofilms,” which are thin layers of microscopic germs that collect on virtually every surface. Essentially, these bacteria and fungi occur everywhere, including faucets in your home. Your body is no less accustomed to being exposed to them in a dental office than in any other situation.
In fact, no scientific evidence has linked biofilms with disease. If you have a compromised or weakened immune system, you are susceptible to germs everywhere. Consequently, please let our office know if you have such a condition so additional precautions, if any, can be taken.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
