Wiping out pathogens

Infection prevention and control is vital to the safe and effective treatment of dental patients.

It is also key to providing a safe working environment for all staff. Adopting measures that reduce the likelihood of transmission of healthcare-associated infections must be part of practice policy. This should include recommendations for the cleaning of surfaces in the dental treatment room.

HTM 01-05 6.61 states that: ‘The patient treatment area should be cleaned after every session using disposable cloths or clean microfibre materials – even if the area appears uncontaminated.’ Surfaces should be wiped down between patients with an effective disinfectant. Disposable, single use wipes impregnated with disinfectant are usually the preferred choice, as extensive microbial contamination has been found on reusable cleaning cloths. This means that wiping hard surfaces with a non-disposable cloth can contaminate hands, equipment and other surfaces. [Rutala, 2008]