Infection Control at the Dentist

You may not be aware that sterilization and other infection control precautions take place before your dental visit because many of these procedures occur in another area of the dental office. If you would like to know more about how your dental office safeguards your health, ask your Ottawa family dentist next time you see them.

These precautions require all dental staff involved in patient care to use appropriate protective garb such as gloves, and sometimes masks and eyewear. After each patient visit, the gloves are discarded, hands are washed and a new pair of gloves is used for the next patient.

Do you sterilize the instruments including the hand piece (drill) after each patient?

Virtually all dentists sterilize their hand piece (drill) between patients. Dental offices follow specific heat sterilization procedures which are outlined by the Canadian Dental Association. Disposable items, such as needles and saliva ejectors, cannot be sterilized and are discarded in special containers.

Dental instruments are cleaned and sterilized at very high temperatures after each time they are used on a patient. Recommended sterilization methods include: an autoclave (steam under pressure), a dry heat oven, or chemical vapor (commonly called a chemiclave). The sterilization equipment usually is not in the treatment room, but if you'd like to see how and where it's done, ask the staff at Blackburn Shoppes Dental Centre to show you.

Before you enter the examining room, all surfaces, such as the dental chair, dental light, drawer handles and countertops have been cleaned and decontaminated. Sharp items and anything contaminated with blood or saliva are disposed of in special containers.
Safe workplace regulations are followed at  dental offices with all the employees. While the primary purpose of the regulations is to safeguard employees, these procedures also protect the patient. For example, gloves provide protection for both you and the dental team.

Don't let uncertainty or anxiety about safety keep you away from the dentist's office. A few minutes of conversation with your dentist regarding these safeguards can set your mind at ease.

And if you don't have an Ottawa family dentist or hygienist, you can obtain referrals by contacting the Ontario Dental Association.  Once you get your referral and you decide to visit the dentist’s office, you can reassure yourself by taking a look around or getting a personal tour.