Sterilization
Sterilization Procedures
At Wilkinson Dental we take cleanliness, and proper safe treatment as a top priority for our patients. We use current guidelines in our daily practice for each patient. If you have any questions or special needs please let us help make know.
Much has been discussed about sterilization procedures in the dental office. Television shows, radio talk shows, magazine and newspaper articles all have sought to enlighten the public regarding proper sterilization techniques. The American Dental association has and will coninue to follow guidelines established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC “highly recommends handpiece sterilization between each patient.”
Our office policy is that each handpiece, after being used on a patient, is then steam autoclaved. This allows us to provide compliance above and beyond what the CDC recommends. You, the patient, will also note that instrument set-ups remain in autoclaved sterility of dental instruments.
The CDC also offers the suggestion that the dental team wear fluid resistant gowns when there is a reasonable expectation of fluid and splatter. Since the high speed handpiece emits an aerosol spray, this loosely interpreted, could mean any dental procedure where the handpiece is used. Our staff uses industry standard mask. Also, in an effort to comply and stay “one step ahead” of the CDC and OSHA, our dental team wears scrubs which are laundered daily.