Infection Control

The guidelines listed below have been developed by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDS) and are endorsed by the Ontario Dental Association (ODA). The RCDS is the regulatory body responsible for the quality of care by dentists, and the ODA is the voluntary professional organization that represents the dentists of Ontario. Infection control practices recommended for a dental office are designed to prevent the transmission of blood-borne viral diseases such as Hepatitis B/C and AIDS. If you have any questions, please feel to ask us for more information.

Universal precautions are used for each and every patient in the office, and are the foundations of infection control practice. Universal precautions mean that the dentist treats each patient in the same way, using the same methods. Gloves are recommended for all dental procedures that may involve blood and /or blood contaminated saliva. After each patient, gloves are discarded and hands are washed before a new pair of gloves is donned. In almost all procedures, including cleaning and polishing of teeth, a facial mask and protective eyewear may be used.

A variety of instruments are used in dental treatment. Whether the procedure is one of cleaning and polishing, or a root canal, infection control guidelines state that each instrument undergo a sterilization process after each patient. These guidelines apply to all instruments, with the exception of some instruments that are disposed of after a single use. After the dentist is finished treating a patient, the instruments they have used undergo two stages of cleaning and then a careful sterilization process before they are used on any other patient.

Sterilization is a process that kills all forms of life, including infectious organisms such as Hepatitis B and HIV. Regular testing of the sterilizer is done to ensure instruments are in fact being sterilized and that all infectious organisms are killed. With these detailed testing procedures, dentists and patients can be confident that the instruments used have been completely cleaned and sterilized, or in the case of disposable items, that they are not used more than once.

A number of items in the dental office are used on patients only once and then discarded. Disposable items includes gloves, needles and syringes, protective coverings for instrument trays, and certain instruments that cannot withstand a sterilization process. Discarded needles are placed in a designated container to prevent needle stick injuries, not in the regular waste collection. Dentists are especially concerned about needle injuries and the risk of infection they pose, so they are handled very carefully.

Patient safety extends to the dental treatment area as well. The area in which your treatment occurs is cleaned and disinfected after each patient, and/or disposable covers are used to protect surfaces from contamination. These covers are replaced after treating each patient.

You can be assured that dentists and their staff receive the most current evidence based information on infection control techniques. Infection control is offered as a continuing education course through their professional association, the ODA. The Ontario Dental Association also publishes information on infection control guidelines and related issues in the association journal. Your health is important to your dentist. If you have any questions about how you are protected from infectious diseases, ask your dentist. They will be happy to discuss these issues to make you feel more comfortable about your dental visit.

Dentists know the facts about infection control. The profession has established guidelines that all dentists must follow to protect you. Your safety is a priority for you and your dentist.