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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• 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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