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At Thorpe Lea Dental Practice we take the wellbeing and safety of our patients very seriously. We understand the concerns many patients have over cross infection control in medicine and dentistry today and we would like to share our protocols with you. Thorpe Lea Dental Practice follows all the national guidelines for cross infection control.
Cross infection control prevents the spreading of infectious disease from staff to patient, patient to patient and from one patient to another. We use disposable equipment wherever possible. Masks, gloves and plastic sheaths covering dental equipment are changed after every patient and during treatment where necessary. In situations where the use of disposable equipment is not possible the following methods are used to ensure the highest levels of sterility.
Autoclaves - an autoclave cleans with steam at very high pressure and temperature and is by far the most effective way of killing germs. All instruments such as mirrors, dental drills and metal hand instruments that are capable of being autoclaved are fully sterilised after every patient.
Chemical sterilisation - some instruments such as plastics, the work surfaces and the dental chair cannot be placed inside an autoclave. These items are fully disinfected using powerful chemicals which are designed to kill bacteria and viruses.
All our cross infection control procedures are kept under strict control and are monitored against national guidelines such as those of the British Dental Association.
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