Infection Control
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July 11, 2025
In the world of dental infection prevention and control (IPAC), the terms *guidelines* and *standards* are often used as if they mean the same thing. But should they be? And more importantly … does it matter?
Yes, it matters. A lot.
What's the Difference?
Standards are formal, enforceable requirements set by regulatory bodies. They are the minimum expectations for safe and ethical practice. Meeting these standards is not optional—they are legally binding, and failing to comply can lead to professional consequences, including disciplinary action or loss of license.
Guidelines, on the other hand, are recommendations. They are typically developed by public health agencies, expert panels, or research organizations. While not enforceable on their own, guidelines represent current best practices and offer direction on how to implement standards effectively and safely.
Why Are They Confused?
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May 23, 2025
What is the Financial Worth of Each Operatory?
Every operatory in a dental practice represents a significant source of revenue. Based on minimum daily production estimates:
- A hygiene operatory generates at least $1,800 per day.
- A DDS operatory generates at least $3,000 per day.
Beyond direct production, every operatory also carries associated labour costs. In this analysis, we account for:
- Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) @ $400 per day
- Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) @ $200 per day
- Administrative staff (Admin) @ $200 per day
This basic model does not include:
- Percentages paid to associate dentists
- Salaries for office managers
- Additional costs for percentages paid to specialists
Understanding the True Cost of Non-Compliance
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January 31, 2025In healthcare, sterilization is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. Dental practices have long been at the forefront of stringent sterilization processes, driven by the high standards required to prevent infection. But what if these best practices could extend beyond dentistry? Here, we explore five industries that could benefit significantly from dental-inspired sterilization solutions.
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January 24, 2025
In the dental field, maintaining a sterile environment is crucial to ensuring patient safety and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. One of the fundamental practices that can significantly impact infection control is proper donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) of personal protective equipment (PPE). In this blog, we’ll explore why these practices are essential for dental professionals, provide step-by-step instructions for both donning and doffing and highlight key tips to keep in mind.
The Importance of Proper Donning and Doffing
The mouth can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and viruses, making it imperative for dental professionals to take the necessary precautions. The correct donning and doffing of PPE help to:
- Protect Patients and Staff: Wearing proper PPE safeguards b
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December 13, 2024
As we approach 2025, it’s hard to ignore the seismic shifts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. While much of the world has adapted to new norms, certain sectors, such as dentistry, continue to face unique challenges. The pandemic affected not only our health but also our dental practices, introducing waves of stress, financial burdens, and new stringent infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols.
In this week's blog, we explore the unseen struggles dental clinics face as they navigate a post-pandemic landscape and what that means for the patients who rely on their care.
The Financial Strain on Dental Clinics
When COVID-19 swept the globe, dental clinics were among the first to feel the effects. With government mandates for non-emergency dental procedures to halt, m
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December 06, 2024
Why does sterilization monitoring include both a biological indicator ‘test’ and a ‘control’? Post incubation is it not clear enough that the user will simply look to see if the vial is purple or yellow? Seems simple to observe a color change and log the outcomes. This is all indeed true, however, dental professionals need to remember the structure of scientific testing and validating. Going back to high school science and the science labs in undergrad we were all taught the purpose of following the scientific method. As we get busy in our typ
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October 25, 2024
In dentistry, effective sterilization processes are paramount to ensuring patient safety and preventing healthcare-associated infections. Traditionally, dental practices relied on manual monitoring techniques to track sterilization cycle parameters, but the landscape is shifting. Digital sterilization monitoring systems offer a more accurate, efficient, and reliable solution. This blog explores the key differences between digital and manual sterilization monitoring, highlighting why the transition to digital systems is essential for modern dental practices.
The Importance of Effective Sterilization Monitoring
Sterilization is crucial in dentistry to eliminate pathogens from equipment such as instruments and surfaces. Dental professionals have associations that provide standards and guidelines to help implement effective sterilization protocols. Accurate
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October 18, 2024
International Infection Prevention Week, a celebration of those safeguarding our health, occurs from October 13 to the 19th of 2024. Established in 1986, the week 'aims to shine a light on infection prevention' each year, recognizing those who make infection prevention their professional focus. As we approach International Infection Prevention Week 2024, we must acknowledge and honor the indispensable role of infection preventionists worldwide. From hospitals and clinics to community settings, these committed individuals are at the forefront, ensuring our health is protected by preventing and controlling infections. This year's theme, Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention, underscores the significance of their work and brings attention to an often-overlooked area: dental infection prevention and control.
Dental Infection Prevention and Control
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October 04, 2024
Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) is a widely recognized antimicrobial agent that has made significant strides in dentistry. Known for its effectiveness in combating oral pathogens, this powerful antiseptic agent is utilized for various applications in dentistry, offering numerous benefits to both patients and practitioners. In this blog, we’ll review some key uses of chlorhexidine gluconate in dentistry and how it contributes to better oral health.
What is Chlorhexidine Gluconate?
Chlorhexidine gluconate is a chemical antiseptic that is highly effective against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Its ability to bind to tissues and provide a prolonged antimicrobial effect makes it particularly useful in dental care. Typically available in mouth rinses, gels, and varnishes, chlorhexidine has been embraced as a vital tool for maintaining oral hygiene.
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September 20, 2024
If my dental regulatory body does not state specifically, that I need to track and trace, then who is telling me to track and trace?
A terrific question for any busy dental office to pose … who is telling me to track and trace? To answer the ‘who’ one must understand the ‘why’. Once the ‘why’ is understood through a risk management lens and professional responsibility to keep the public safe, the who loses its debate as you will be the person telling yourself to track and trace!
Tracking and tracing are linking a sterilized package to the client it was used on. Why do we label packages with the date, sterilizer #, load #, contents, and initialize? It is not just to label to see when it was sterilized but also where it’s going or in past tense, has gone. The label is the first step of having a recall system in place, it’s the tracking of packa
