Here is an important announcement about a new investment for your benefit.
Cross-infection control - upgraded
This year we have introduced the latest upgrade to the most important aspect of our behind-the-scenes activities. Cross-infection control.
For a variety of fairly obvious reasons, it is critical for dentist to keep all instruments which are not disposable and are to be re-used, sterile and free from viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms.
The method used which has been the standard of care recommended and required of us , was a 3-stage process.
STAGE ONE
All instuments which are not disposable were washed by hand with a variety of scrubbing brushes to remove all visible contamination.
STAGE TWO
Then the instruments were ultrasonically cleaned in an anti-microbial bath. This process both microscpically shakes off any debris invisible to the naked eye and begins the process of killing any remaining microorganisms.
STAGE THREE
Finally the instruments were placed in an autoclave. Using an autoclave to sterilise dental instruments has been the standard required of dentists for over 30 years and has served our patients well.
An autoclave is a glorified pressure cooker which super-heats water into steam at 134 degrees centigrade for 3 minutes under increased pressure . This process is automatically progammed and checked and has been clearly demonstrated to kill rapidly viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C , as well as all bacteria, spores and fungi (e.g candida which causes thrush).
Once the autoclave has cooled down the dental instruments are ascepticlly removed (not touched by hand) ans stored for later use. Instruments used for any form of surgery are placed in unsealed paper pouches designed for this purpose and go through the autoclave process a second time. The instruments in their pouches are removed and the pouches sealed for storage.
ADDITIONAL NEW STAGE
We have now introduced two major changes which are not yet legally required but which are heralded as a further improvments to this process.
Firstly we have now installed an industrial strength washer/disinfector which automates and is said to further improves the physical cleansing of the instruments. They are effectivly power washed and steam cleaned before being transferred to the autoclave.
Secondly the autoclave has been upgraded to a vacuum model which allows pre-bagged instruments to be sterilised as well as items such as cotton drapes etc. Each sterilisation cycle is timed , dated and monitored to audit (double-check ) the cycle has correctly functioned and this information is held on a removable memory card just like those used for digital cameras) for later downloading and storing on a computer database
You will of course notice no difference whatsoever but there is a little added peace of mind and the knowledge that we are bang up to date with the very latest research in this area even if it is not yet required of us.
If you really have the time and energy to learn more click on one of these links:
Our new autoclave
Cross-infection control
Our Washer/Disinfector
