Infection Control
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March 28, 2023
In the fast-paced and demanding environment of dental clinics, efficient and reliable sterilization of instruments is paramount to ensure patient safety and infection control. One crucial item that has revolutionized dental instrument reprocessing is the self-sealing sterilization pouch.
Components and Features:
A self-sealing sterilization pouch is typically made of a medical-grade, durable, and puncture-resistant material, often a combination of transparent polypropylene and medical-grade paper. These pouches come in various sizes to accommodate different instruments, from small dental items such as burs, handpieces, explorers to larger things such as forceps, rubber dam frames, instrument cassettes and more.
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March 24, 2023
This explanatory article on barriers is part of a series of articles that were created to help new office managers and patients understand the uses and best practices of barrier products for infection control.
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March 15, 2023
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus (RSV)*
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in Canada and the United States.
Symptoms and Care
Symptoms
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
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March 15, 2023
Interim guidance on infection prevention and control for suspect, probable, or confirmed monkeypox within Healthcare settings*
Infection Prevention and ControlAirborne, droplet, and contact precautions should be used for all suspect, probable, and confirmed cases of monkeypox. Precautions should be used when a patient presents with fever and vesicular/pustular rash (suspected case). Any lesions or respiratory secretions should be considered infectious material.
Routine Practices
Continue to follow routine practices including:
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March 15, 2023
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease*
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) predominantly affect infants and children under 5 years old. It's characterized by symptoms like fever, mouth sores, and a distinctive skin rash on the hands and feet, sometimes spreading to other body parts like the buttocks, legs, and arms. The disease typically lasts 7 to 10 days and is caused by viruses from the Enterovirus family, notably Coxsackievirus A16 and Coxsackievirus A6, which are common in North America, while Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) has been associated with more severe cases, especially in East and Southeast Asia.
Symptoms of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Symptoms generally manifest around 3 to 5 days after exposure, starting with fever and flu-like indications, followed by the appearance of painful mouth sores and a
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March 05, 2023A dental office reprocessing area must be organized in a one-way workflow to prevent cross-contamination. The one-way workflow is composed of stations that are linked in functionality to one another to finally achieve the end point of reprocessing; sterilization. Each station can only perform the duties of THAT station and can only host the contents of THAT station’s tasks. In ‘common practice’ vs ‘best practice’ reprocessing rooms ...
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March 01, 2023There are two main elements to the reprocessing of a dental bur. First, what does the manufacturer of the bur state to do with the bur? Is it single use or can it be reprocessed? Second, if it can be reprocessed what are the steps from end-to-end use that meet IPAC standards of practice.
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February 24, 2023
For years, dentistry has had an oversaturation of dental professionals. There hasn’t been a dental labour shortage before now. Instead, job postings were few and far between and most jobs surfaced through word of mouth and were immediately filled. Currently, Canada is experiencing a significant labour shortage in dentistry. Dental professionals, where are you?
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February 15, 2023
The process of disinfecting is a two-step procedure. First, the surface must be cleaned to ensure all blood, debris, and waste is removed. Second, the surface is disinfected by applying a disinfectant and letting the chemicals activate for the noted contact time to kill all bacteria, viruses and possible fungi present.
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February 14, 2023
Gloves are the most important part of any medical facility.
Why do dentists choose nitrile gloves? — Disposable nitrile gloves are part of the dental staff’s personal protection equipment (PPE) used when completing exams and procedures. They provide a barrier of protection to the skin, resistance from tears, and durability. Nitrile gloves are produced from hypoallergenic synthetic materials, making them a safe alternative for those with latex allergies.
Latex Gloves vs. Nitrile Gloves
In the past, disposable latex gloves were the standard gloves used in hospitals and dental offices in Canada. That changed several years ago as latex allergies became more common, and nitrile gloves became the alternative.
Latex gloves are
