Tips for maintaining clean dental operatories
It’s important to clean and disinfect the dental operatories as well as have clean dental instruments.
Dental instruments and dental handpieces are going to go through a sterilization process in the sterilization lab. In the operatories where the patient is cared for, we need that area to be very clean as well.
When we carry these clean instruments into the operatory, we need to bring these into a clean environment.
Bringing the instruments into a clean environment
First, put plastic barriers on everything you can.
You will still need to wipe a lot of the surfaces as well with the disinfectant. Items like hand
pieces and dental instruments are going to be sterilized in the lab.
Other surfaces, like dental hoses, can be wiped with a disinfectant.
You can use disposable covers. Disposable barriers can be used on surfaces that are high touch or difficult to clean: light handles, x-ray equipment, computer keyboards, and the computer mouse.
Using a keyboard cover over top of the keyboard is ideal.
Patients don’t want to see anyone touch the keyboards with gloves and then touch the patient even if the keyboard is clean.
Seeing the barrier on the keyboard is much more visually reassuring, so it’s recommended to use a keyboard cover. This can be something like a clear plastic bag over the keyboard and the mouse.
For the patient chair use a disposable clear bag. Even simple clear plastic laundry bags work well to place over top of the chair and then should be removed after use.
Tape can be used on some surfaces. It can help keep the surface protected. Sometimes it can be hard to remove the tape and the disposable barrier may be easier. However, the tape may be especially helpful on a light handle or an X-ray button.
Tape could be used on things like a writing pen to help make sure that the surface, if it’s touched with the gloves, is protected.
Surface cleaning and disinfectant
Be sure to use proper surface disinfectants.
Utilize EPA registered hospital disinfectants that have appropriate kill claim for bacteria, viruses, and tuberculosis. The disinfectant needs to be sprayed on surfaces and allowed to air dry.
This can be used to help clean and disinfect countertops, but it’s going to be important that the counter is cleared and not cluttered so that the surface can be sprayed.
The light handles and switches can have tape or covers.
The aerosol producing procedures that are done in the office should have the high-volume evacuation suction nearby to help reduce the spray going into the air from the air polishing, ultrasonic scaling, and things like that to reduce contamination in the room.
Frequent hand hygiene is important, so using soap before and after patient care will help to keep surfaces clean.
Get a wonderful soap that encourages use.
Avoid touching items with your gloves on unless it’s a covered surface.
Keep a regular deep cleaning schedule so there can be routine opportunities for regular deep cleaning for the entire dental operatory, including the floors, the walls, and the ceilings.
The key point is that adequate care and caution are very much needed, and make sure that the dental operatory is clean and free from infection.
So be sure to have a good routine that’s followed consistently.