Recent Blog Posts

• Fact-Checking IPAC: Why Type V Indicators and PCDs Are Non-Negotiable

  Posted: November 12, 2025

  Categories: IPAC Compliance , Infection Control , Professional
  

  Over the past week, I’ve received several emails from dental professionals asking about information they received during various IPAC sessions within the dental community, specifically around the placement and use of the Type V chemical indicator (CI).

  Two common questions have emerged:

  1. Is a Class IV CI in a cassette sufficient?
  2. If a Class V is placed in all cassettes, is there still a need for a Type V in a Process Challenge Device (PCD)?

  These questions are important. They show that people are listening, engaging, and wanting to do things right. But they also highlight why dismantling received information and fact-checking for evidence is essential in infection prevention and control (IPAC).

  1. The Risk of Passive Acceptance

  In the IPAC world, information travels quickly, especially when it’s shared confidently or

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• What Health & Safety Training is Necessary in Ontario Dental Offices?

  Posted: October 23, 2025

  Categories: Personal Protection and Safety , Office Life , Professional
  

  Health and Safety (H&S) training in Ontario is more than just a compliance box to check; it’s a legal requirement that protects both staff and patients. “The Occupational Health and Safety Act sets out the rights and duties of all parties in the workplace, as well as the procedures for dealing with workplace hazards and for enforcement as needed” (Government of Ontario, 2017). The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) sets the standards and enforces training requirements through audits, inspections, and yearly “blitzes.” Understanding what is actually mandatory can help dental offices stay compliant, avoid costly penalties, and most importantly, keep the workplace safe.

  In the health care sector, MLITSD has announced a two-phase Workplace Violence Prevention blitz for 2025–2026. Phase 1, running from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, focuses on education, outreach, and awareness in partnership with the Public Services Health and

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• When the Bugs Get Stronger: Reinforcing Disinfection and PPE in Dental Practice

  Posted: October 09, 2025

  Categories: IPAC Compliance , Personal Protection and Safety , Infection Control , Professional , Pathogens
  

  In a dental setting, we habitually talk about “Infection prevention,” “sterilization,” and “barrier protection.” But as pathogens evolve, or as outbreaks resurge, it’s worth revisiting some fundamentals in an era of stronger pathogens: what “stronger bugs” we might face, what disinfectants actually eliminate them, and what personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed when you’re using more potent chemicals.

  Viral mutations, global travel, and environmental pressures have contributed to more resilient microorganisms and more frequent re-emergence of previously controlled diseases — for example, measles. To meet these challenges, dentistry has responded with broad-spectrum, hospital-grade disinfectants capable of neutralizing the toughest microbial threats. But that same chemical strength demands an equally strong commitment to safe handling and appropriate PPE.

  Understanding “Stronger Bugs”: Viruses, Bacteria, and Benchmark Organisms

  Not all microorga

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• More than Just Sunglasses! Eye Protection in Dentistry: A Clinician’s Duty to Educate and Safeguard.

  Posted: September 18, 2025

  Categories: IPAC Compliance , Personal Protection and Safety , Patient Health , Professional
  

  When clients settle into the dental chair, they’re not just trusting us with their teeth... they’re trusting us with their safety as a whole. One of the most commonly overlooked, yet vital, components of that safety is eye protection. You may be asking yourself, “Why are we still talking about something as fundamental as protective eyewear? Shouldn’t this already be second nature in dentistry?” The truth is, it should be. However, the question continues to resurface in IPAC discussions, particularly as many practices experience rotating staff who may not have received consistent or comprehensive IPAC training. Dental procedures can produce aerosols, project debris, contaminate with water spray, chemicals, and even cause accidental sharp injuries. The result? Preventable injuries that can change lives forever.

  Clinician Responsibility: Educate, Empower, Enforce

  As dental professionals, our manda

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