Infection Control
Infection controls and universal precautions protect clients and staff alike. Everyone benefits from rigorous infection control you, your dentist, and the dental team. The cornerstone in a good and safe dental practice is the element of trust. You should feel free to discuss this topic with Dr. Ferrari and receive a straightforward answer.
Dr. Ferrari and our entire team follow procedures recommended by several federal agencies: the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:
- Disinfectant hand soap
- Gloves and face masks
- Chemical disinfection of counter tops and surfaces
- Sterilization of all equipment before every use
- Disposable materials
We sterilize all reusable equipment, including dental hand pieces. We use an autoclave; a device that kills bacteria and viruses by using a combination of steam, heat, and pressure.
In the office, we have 3 different methods of reducing office aerosols; a full-building HEPA air filtration system running 24/7, in-room HEPA filtration units, and in mouth continual suction units specifically designed to reduce aerosols and splatter during procedures. We are having all patients wash or sanitize their hands and use an anti-microbial mouth rinse prior to procedures. We are wearing additional PPE including masks and face shields and have put up plexi-glass barriers at the front desk.
The best defense against disease is information. The more you know, the better equipped you are to make wise decisions about your health care. The more you know about our daily procedures and policies, the more comfortable you will feel.