Dental Infection Control

Infection controls and universal precautions protect both our patients and our team members. Everyone benefits from rigorous infection control. The cornerstone of a safe dental practice is regular disinfection and sterilization protocols for surfaces, equipment and instruments. If you have concerns about our procedures, feel free to discuss this topic with Dr. Watts or any of our clinical team members.

Dr. Watts and our entire team follow procedures recommended by several federal agencies: the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:

• Disinfectant hand soap and cleaner
• Gloves and face masks
• Chemical disinfection of countertops and equipment surfaces
• Sterilization of all instruments before every use
• Disposable materials

We sterilize all reusable equipment, including dental handpieces. We use an autoclave, a device that kills bacteria and viruses by steam, heat and pressure. The water lines in our dental treatment units use sterile water and are ‘shocked’ monthly with disinfectant. We test our autoclave and water systems regularly to make sure they are working properly. 

Our office air is cleaned regularly with ionic cleaners in our HVAC system. 

The best defense against disease is information. The more you know about our daily procedures and policies, the more comfortable you will feel.