Top Infection Control

Infection Control: ADA Guidelines for Dental Infection Control

The following is an excerpt from the Australian Dental Association Inc. (2012), ADA Guidelines for Dental Infection Control - Second Edition, Australian Dental Association Inc.

What are the health standards for the country? Is the dentist following the standards?
Dental practices in Australia are great example with clear and reinforced guidelines regarding infection control in the dental office. They are endorsed by National Law, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Dental Board of Australia. Patient safety and health is at the forefront for all Australian dental professionals to ensure quality procedures are carried out.

Before selecting a dental clinic, consider these important questions:

1. Are there adequate health standards in the country you are looking to receive your dental treatment?
2. How do you know the dentist is following the standards?
3. Do you know the materials and instruments being used for the procedure are safe and are going to be used, sterilized and disposed of correctly?

At Westcoast International, we provide our answers to these ADA questions. Any others, we would be happy to answer by email or have you call us for a discussion.

Adequate health standards?
In order to prevent the transmission of disease-producing agents, Westcoast International has implemented strict heath care standards and protocols throughout our clinics. We understand that there are many possible ways, both directly and indirectly, for bacteria, viruses or fungal infections to spread. One major concern among dental practitioners is the rise of transmitting HIV, Hepatitis and other deadly infections in today’s society. Since our clinic is in close contact with blood, saliva and other bacteria, it is our top priority to eliminate the spread of microorganisms and ensure quality procedures are performed.
In adherent to the Australian Dental Association 2012 Guidelines for infection control, our standard precautions prior to every treatment or during cleaning and handling contamination consist of:

1. Undertaking regular hand hygiene with proper antimicrobial disinfectants;
2. Using personal protective barriers such as gloves, masks, eye protection and gowns;
3. Wearing appropriate protective equipment during clinical procedures, during cleaning and reprocessing instruments;
4. Correctly handling contaminated waste and sharps;
5. Appropriately reprocessing reusable instruments;
6. Effectively undertaking environmental cleaning;
7. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette;
8. Appropriately handling used linen and clinical gowns; and
9. Using, where appropriate, environmental barriers such as plastic coverings on surfaces and items that may become contaminated and that are difficult to clean.

How we know our dentists are following these standards at Westcoast?
Following the exact infection control guidelines defined by the Australian, Canadian and American Dental Associations, Westcoast continually updates and monitors health standards of dental staff to ensure that protocols are properly carried out. This includes:

1. All team members have regular training about comprehensive updating and reinforcing the standards of infection control;
2. Infection control procedures are executed throughout all dental service management, enforced compliance with entire team through comprehensive training and monthly review of dental staff and regularly monitoring the application of these systems and procedures;
3. Our clinical directors keep up-to-date regarding specific infectious diseases (such as avian flu, H1N1 influenza and multiple resistant organisms) and how to take precautions against them; and
4. We have regular training from the global leader in dental infection control materials for dentistry from Switzerland (UNIDENT) whose products are deemed the worlds’ best in sterilization.

How do you know the materials and instruments being used for the procedure are safe and are going to be used, sterilized and disposed of correctly?

Weekly testing of sterilization and disinfection process
At Westcoast International, we ensure that spore-testing each dental sterilizer is done on a weekly basis and accurate records of all monitoring are well documented. The testing process involves steam under pressure (autoclaving), dry heat or chemical vapor with microbial testing strips. This essential step in sterilization has enabled us to detect any defects or mechanical problems at the earliest stage possible.

Reputable and eco-friendly suppliers of materials
Dental supplies and materials used at Westcoast are safe because we only purchase accredited and tested products from well-known and respected manufacturers (e.g CE/ FDA marked/ Health Canada certified). We also cater BPA-free materials in the majority of our dental instruments (for example Invisalign retainers that do not contain BPA).

In addition, our clinic prides itself in having proven track record of minimal X-ray radiation produce. With the help of the latest technology imported from Japan, USA, Germany and the like, we are able to drastically reduce patient’s exposure to radiation and the generation of radiographic waste products to the lowest level. We also do not employ any mercury filling material in our products so you can rest assure that our workplace is safe for you and your family.
Our clinic maintains the highest standards of environmental safety. We are one of the first clinics in Vietnam to employ the eco-friendly model into our practice. By adopting amalgam separation techniques, we are able to decrease the amount of amalgam in waste water that leaves our office.

One-time disposable policy
Single-use dental instruments bring great advantage in giving the patients their own personalized treatments and dental tools whilst saving time and minimizing the spread of infections from patient to patient.

Whenever possible, the choice of single use disposable items are present. Items were safely sealed by registered manufacturers and only opened in front of the patient and never reused on another. Disposable dental carpules, examination kits and masks are also enforced since these pose as potential carriers for microorganisms and will be treated as contaminated wastage.

We are more than willing to explain and answer any of your queries that you might have regarding the dental practices at our clinic. Contact us today!

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