Policy on infection prevention

Guidelines for best practice of Infection control.

Dental professionals have a duty to take appropriate precaution to protect patients and staff from the risk of cross-infection. To minimize the risk of transmission of infection between patients and dental professional a sensible and practical routine for the prevention of cross-contamination and cross- infection should be followed.

1. Standard Precaution.

Working unit: should be cleaned regularly using an EPA registered disinfectant.

Between patients.

• All work surfaces including those apparently uncontaminated should be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated with detergent and suitable veridical disinfectant. Fresh solution of disinfectant should be made up and used according to the manufacturer’s instruction.

Any instruments which are reused are sterilised to the manufacturer’s instruction using cold water bath sterilisation solution. Sterilisation must be done on a daily basis and to a high execution and level of professionalism.

All other items used in the clinic are one use and disposed of immediately.

When Sterilising please make sure:

• Items are fully submerged into the sterilisation solution
• When removing items from the sterilisation solution they are fully and thoroughly washed removing all solution and placed immediately into a sterile pouch and sealed.
• All work stations are thoroughly cleaned and sterilised after every treatment.

   Portable aspirator.

• A disinfectant solution should be sucked through the suction lines to clean them.
• At the end of each treatment session the contents of the container which collects the waste liquid should be emptied. Care should be taken to avoid splashing the surroundings surfaces, which should be washed down and disinfected afterwards.

Hand hygiene

• Hands should be washed with plain or antimicrobial soap and running water before and after direct contact with individual patients.
• Liquid soap should be provided in disposable pump dispensers.
• Bar soap should not be used.
• Avoid the use of hand jewellery and prosthetic nails.

Personal Protective Equipment

        Primary barriers include gloves, protective eyewear, and masks.

Gloves

• Gloves must be worn during treatment even though we operate a no-touch treatment policy.
• Gloves should be put on immediately before the activity for which they are indicated.
• Gloves must be removed and discarded immediately after the activity for which they were used, and hand hygiene must be performed.
• Gloves should not be worn outside the treatment room.
• The same pair of gloves must not be used for more than one patient.
• Gloves must not be washed and reused.

Mask

• Appropriate masks that cover the nose and mouth should be worn during procedure to protect the respiratory mucosa and from contact with potentially contaminated droplet material.
• Masks lose efficiency over time, as they become moist from breathing. Accordingly, masks should be changed when they become contaminated, wet or more often, such as during longer appointments.

LED – Teeth Whitening Accelerator

After use Beyond LED whitening accelerator should be disinfected between patients with Alkapharm wipes which is designed to o disinfect non-invasive medical devices (small medical and dental equipment)

• Dries in 30 seconds however allow 5 minutes prior to next patient use.
• Using a fresh wipe for each and every application wipe surface thoroughly
• Repeat the application using a fresh wipe
• Dispose of soiled wipes immediately to a suitable clinical waste receptacle

Eye protection.

• Patient’s eyes should always be protected during treatment against cold filtered blue light.
• Protective glasses should be disinfected between patients with Alkapharm wipes To disinfect Noninvasive medical devices (small medical and dental equipment)
• Dries in 30 seconds however allow 5 minutes prior to eye protection use for next patient.
• Using a fresh wipe for each and every application wipe surface thoroughly
• Repeat the application using a fresh wipe
• Dispose of soiled wipes immediately