Michelle Aubé (Simmonds), RDH

The caries risk assessment is complete. The lesion has been assessed. The indications point to SDF as an appropriate treatment option.

Now it is time to set up.

SDF application itself is simple, but the armamentarium around it matters. A thoughtful setup helps the clinician control the material, maintain a dry field, improve visibility and reduce the risk of unintended contact or staining.

The broader clinical workflow remains:

SCREEN. DISPENSE. ISOLATE. APPLY. PROTECT.

But once SCREEN is complete, the chairside setup begins with gathering the right armamentarium.

Start With the Setup Surface

Before dispensing SDF, think about what is sitting between the material and the operatory counter. SilverSense SDF can stain countertops, floors, instruments, clothing and skin brown or black. The Canadian Instructions for Use specifically caution clinicians to avoid spills and

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective, minimally invasive option for managing active carious lesions. It is simple to apply, requires relatively little chairside time, and can be especially valuable when conventional restorative care is difficult, delayed or not immediately feasible. Evidence-based clinical guidance supports 38% SDF as a nonrestorative treatment option for appropriate carious lesions. (Slayton et al., 2018)

Yet SDF still appears to be under-integrated into routine clinical care.

The bigger question may no longer be:

“Does SDF work?”

It may be:

“Are we identifying the right clients for it?”

That is why SDF should begin with caries risk assessment — not with the bottle.

SCREEN. DISPENSE. ISOLATE. APPLY. PROTECT.

If you’ve ever walked into a sterilization area or supply room and noticed sterile instruments stored in the lowest drawer, bottom cabinet, or on a shelf near the floor, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common “it seems fine” storage habits in dental settings, especially when space is tight.

But here’s the truth… storing sterile instruments at ground level increases risk, even if the instruments are wrapped, even if they’re in a closed drawer, and even if they “aren’t technically touching the floor.” This isn’t just a rule for the sake of rules. It’s a practical, evidence-based risk reduction control that protects sterility, improves workflow, and reduces avoidable reprocessing. Let’s break it down.

The Simple Truth: The Floor Zone Is the Highest-Risk Zone

In every healthcare environment, including dental operatories and sterilization rooms, the floor is where contamination accumulates. That’s because the floor is constantly exposed to:

Quarantining instruments after sterilization is an important safeguard in dental practice. Holding instruments until sterilization monitoring results are available, especially biological indicator results, helps prevent the premature release of a failed load.

However, quarantine on its own is not an instrument traceability system. It is one part of a larger system.

Quarantine answers one question: Can this sterilization load be released?

Traceability answers a broader and more defensible question:

Can we prove which instruments were used, on which patient, from which sterilizer and load?

That distinction matters.

Quarantine Is a Release-Control Step

Quarantine is a holding process. It keeps instruments

Running a dental practice takes more than strong clinical skills, it requires effective communication. From the front desk to the operatory, the way we talk with each other can either build trust and efficiency or create unnecessary tension. One communication style that empowers both leaders and team members is solution-based communication.

What is Solution-Based Communication?

Solution-based communication is a way of speaking and listening that focuses on outcomes and collaboration, rather than blame or dwelling on problems. Instead of pointing fingers or getting stuck on what went wrong, the conversation turns toward what can be done to improve the situation.

Think of it as shifting from:
“Why did this go wrong?”
to
“How can we make this work better next time?”

Why It Matters in a Dental Office

Dental teams are unique: hygienists, assistants, dentists, and administrators

Instrument reprocessing is intended to follow a linear, one-way workflow. The process moves from contaminated to clean, then inspected, packaged, labelled, sterilized, cooled, inspected again, and stored. Each step prepares the item for the next step, and the workflow should not move backward once the item has progressed forward.

For this reason, labelling belongs before sterilization. The label is part of packaging and load preparation. It connects the package to the sterilization record, including the date processed, sterilizer used, load or cycle information, and the individual responsible for packaging. Once the package has been sterilized, the focus is no longer to “work on” the package; it is to protect the sterile barrier, allow the package to cool, inspect it, and store it appropriately.

I started using the term ‘Learning Dodger’ a few years ago when I began to notice a pattern among some dental professionals. They weren’t disengaged entirely, and they weren’t necessarily poor clinicians, but something was missing. They avoided growth opportunities, skipped over new ideas, and resisted updating their knowledge. I didn’t know what to call it at first, but the phrase dodging learning seemed to fit.

It’s also a concept I wrestle with personally. As someone currently completing a BA in Adult Education, I can’t get enough of learning, I’m always looking forward to my next “educational fix.” For me, growth feels energizing, not exhausting. So when I encounter professionals dodging learning, I find myself both curious and concerned. Why would someone resist something that fuels so much professional pride and purpose?

Dentistry and dental hygiene are professions rooted in science, technology, and evidence-based care. From infection prevention to new p

In the world of dental sterilization assurance, biological indicators (BIs) are the most reliable method of verifying whether a sterilizer is functioning effectively. These indicators test the true effectiveness of a sterilization cycle by challenging it with highly resistant bacterial spores. But what happens when it's not the test BI that fails, but the control BI?

While a failed test BI raises red flags for a potential sterilization breach, a failed control BI introduces an entirely different set of concerns. This article breaks down what a control BI is, what its failure means, and the exact steps your office should take to investigate and correct the issue.

What is a Control BI?

A Control BI is a self-contained biological indicator that is not exposed to the sterilization process. Its job is to serve as a positive control to prove that the spores

When it comes to infection control in dental settings, the science behind your sterilization materials matters. One of the most advanced and trusted materials in the field is SMMS, short for Spunbond-Meltblown-Meltblown-Spunbond. This multi-layered nonwoven fabric plays a critical role in keeping sterilized instruments safe until use.

So, what exactly is SMMS, and why does it outperform traditional single-ply wraps?

SMMS: A Four-Layer Engineered Barrier

SMMS is a composite structure made of:

• Two outer spunbond layers
• Two inner meltblown layers

Each layer serves a distinct and essential purpose:

1. Spunbond Layers (Outer

Sterilization wrap is a critical element to instrument reprocessing. When used correctly, it creates a critical barrier that protects sterile instruments from contamination until point of use. But what happens when your SMMS wrap starts melting in the autoclave? It’s more than frustrating, it’s a red flag. This guide walks you through common causes and solutions when your sterilization wrap doesn’t perform as expected.

Understanding the Material: What Is SMMS Wrap?

SMMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Meltblown-Spunbond) is a four-layer nonwoven material commonly used in sterilization wrap. It's engineered to resist microbial penetration and mechanical wear while allowing steam to pass through during sterilization. When SMMS wrap melts, the problem usually isn’t the wrap itself, it’s the processing conditions.

Troubleshooting: Where Things Go Wrong

Here’s a practical breakdown of what to investigate if your SMMS wrap is melting or distorti