Cross-infection control in single-handed practice

Iqualified in an era where the words ‘cross infection’ were yet to be penned, and sterilisation in the dental surgery was in its infancy. The late 1960s to early 1970s was an era where a boiling water steriliser was the norm, and a dry air oven considered upmarket. Rubber gloves were worn only when a surgical procedure was being carried out, and mouth mirrors ‘debugged’ by passing them through the flame of a Bunsen burner on a bracket table. Local anaesthetic needles were used a minimum of five times and cold sterilised in a dedicated bell jar.

Today there is no place in dentistry for risking cross infection. The profession expects any risk to be minimised and the public demands it. No technique can produce 100% sterility, but that is no excuse for a dental nurse not trying to achieve that ultimate goal.