Cross infection control

Our dental team are all very aware of the need for scrupulous cross infection control and sterilisation, and the following protocols are stringently followed:

• Masks and gloves are worn at all times when treating patients.
• New gloves are worn for each patient.
• Operators' hands are washed with a disinfectant wash between patients.
• All work surfaces are wiped down with disinfectant spray and wipes after each patient.
• Plastic covers are placed over all instruments, hoses and the dental chair and changed between patients.
• Plastic covers are attached to all areas that might be touched and these are changed between patients.
• All instruments are stored in cassettes and passed through a cleaning and sterilisation procedure in the cassette. To do this we use the latest technology - firstly using a washer/disinfector and then a steam autoclave for sterilisation. The autoclaves work at 134°C and have been shown to kill all bacteria, viruses and spores.
• The hand-pieces (drills) are all autoclaved.
• The autoclaves have a drying cycle to eliminate any moisture retained in storage bags, which could result in contamination of the instruments stored in them.
• The autoclaves themselves are serviced and checked regularly.

We regularly review our cross infection measures and ensure we meet the government standards