For the past couple of months, you have been diligently following the CDC’s recommended guidelines for social distancing and avoiding catching COVID-19. One day you’re relaxing at home, eating some yummy ice cream, only for a sharp pain to suddenly shoot through one of your teeth. It develops into a toothache that lasts for days and hardly goes away when you take ibuprofen. You conclude that you need to see your dentist in Moses Lake. But is it safe? Do dentists keep their offices extra clean during a pandemic? Yes! Let’s discuss exactly how your dentist keeps all of their instruments germ-free.
How Is Equipment Like the Suction Tool Disinfected?
Even when a serious pandemic isn’t occurring, your dentist’s office is one of the cleanest places you could be. This is because dentists adhere to strict sanitation guidelines set by the CDC and the American Dental Association (ADA).
Tools such as dental mirrors and forceps are disinfected using a special device called an autoclave. An autoclave is essentially a small box that heats up on the inside up to almost 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The instruments are placed inside small bags that resemble paper on one side and are clear on the other, then laid inside the autoclave. The device heats up, killing germs that may be living on the instruments. The bags have color indicators that let your dental team know when the sterilization is complete. Because of this, your dentist never uses un-sterilized tools on a patient.
For tools that are not reusable, such as masks, gloves, and the tips of the suction device that pulls excess saliva from the mouth, your dental team simply disposes of them. Since each of these items is only used on one patient, pathogens are not spread from one patient to another.
How Are Other Items in the Dental Exam Room Cleaned?
You may have seen your dentist or hygienist adjust the light above their heads and are wondering how items like that are cleaned. Luckily, your dentist hires a professional cleaning service to disinfect the office on a regular basis.
In addition, commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and light switches, are frequently cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectant. The handle that your dental team uses to adjust the light typically has a plastic cover, which is switched out regularly. Virtually all surfaces in the dental operatory are thoroughly wiped down between patients.
You can rest easy knowing that your dental team takes every precaution to keep their office clean. You should be able to get the care you need for your toothache without worrying about germs. Just give your dentist a call!
About the Author
Dr. Craig R. Harder has been a dentist in Moses Lake, WA for over 20 years and counting. He earned his dental doctorate at Creighton University’s dental school. Since then, he has undergone hundreds of hours of post-graduate education in several aspects of dentistry, such as cosmetics and minor orthodontics. His practice adheres to all of the guidelines set by the CDC and the ADA in order to keep the office clean and safe for all patients. To learn more about these safety protocols, you can visit Dr. Harder’s website or call (509) 765-4351.