Recent Blog Posts

• When IPAC Standards Don’t Spell It Out: Why Dental Professionals Must Use Clinical Judgement in IPAC, Especially With Labelling and Traceability

  Posted: December 04, 2025

  Categories: IPAC Compliance , Infection Control , Patient Health , Professional
  

  In dentistry, many clinicians still fall into a dangerous trap:
  “If my regulatory body didn’t explicitly say to do it, then I don’t have to do it.”

  This mindset shows up most often with instrument package labelling, documentation, chart entries, and sterilization traceability. Some clinicians insist:

  • “My IPAC guideline doesn’t say I must label packages.”
  • “It doesn’t specifically say to write sterilization data in the patient chart.”
  • “It doesn’t use the exact words ‘track’ or ‘trace,’ so why should I?”

  But here’s the truth, just because your regulator doesn’t list every micro-step does NOT mean you are exempt from performing it. Your responsibility is to use professional judgement and follow recognized IPAC standards to protect patient safety. Let’s explore why.

  Regulatory Bodies Cannot Write a Step-by-Step Manual for Every Clinic

  No

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• 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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