We consider it an absolute priority to make sure that our dental offices are clean and safe. Our team here at Goochland Dentistry works very hard to maintain our space using rigorous cleaning procedures. We know that a clean space shows you how much we care about your health and safety!
When you visit Goochland Dentistry, we want you to know that you are visiting a safe and clean space.
Using industry guidelines
Across the dental industry, protecting patients is the top priority. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publish guidelines that our offices strictly follow to ensure effective disinfectant and sterilization procedures are of the highest standard.
Our staff is also extensively trained to follow the procedures recommended by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We incorporate their recommendations into our regular dental office sterilization routines.
Keeping the office clean
We know that the first impression is the most important! A first glance at our waiting area will put you at ease, knowing that we consider providing a healthy environment for your dental care to be a top priority. We clean the common areas frequently, ensuring that upholstery, carpets, and draperies are free of dust, dirt, and stains.
Finally, we offer disinfectant hand soap, antibacterial hand sanitizer, face masks, and gloves for both our staff and clients to use while waiting for their appointment.
Regular disinfection of all clinical contact surfaces
We clean and disinfect all surfaces that are touched regularly. While many surfaces don’t come in direct contact with infectious germs, they can become contaminated through regular touching and contact throughout the day. These surfaces include light switches, drawer handles, and faucets. We know that such surfaces can harbor nasty bacteria, so we make sure they are frequently cleaned.
Using EPA approved disinfectants, we clean these surfaces between all appointments and at other times throughout the day. Some surfaces like dental chairs and other dental equipment will be covered with removable plastic barriers that we discard and replace between every patient.
Sterilization and cleaning of dental equipment and instruments
While many of the items we use in our exams and procedures are disposable, some are reusable. We take great care in disposing of used items as appropriate and thoroughly sterilizing those items that will be used again.
Disposable items used in dentistry include things like gloves, face masks, gowns, face shields, and eyewear. Once these items have been used with a patient, our staff disposes of them appropriately.
We follow strict procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing reusable items. The procedure calls for a four-step process:
- Using an ultrasonic cleaner, we make sure that reusable instruments are clean and free of debris.
- Using special packaging, we wrap instruments and seal them for sterilization and storage.
- Using a dental autoclave, we apply pressure, steam, and heat to make sure that items are thoroughly sterilized.
- Using EPA approved disinfectants, we make sure that all surfaces and equipment are perfectly cleaned.
Your health and safety is our top priority!
Rest assured that we consider the health and safety of those visiting our office to be critically important. Our staff works hard to help prevent the spread of infectious germs and disease by thoroughly and routinely cleaning and sterilizing instruments, equipment, and surfaces in our practice.
Gaining your trust is the commitment of our entire team. If you ever have any questions about our cleaning routines and protocols, just give us a call. We’re more than happy to give more information and share detailed descriptions.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
