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Testing decontamination equipment in dental practice

This article outlines some of the more important testing and validation that should be carried out to ensure decontamination equipment is functioning properly, can conform to the required standards and that the required data can be properly recorded by dental teams

Effective environmental Decontamination

Surfaces and equipment used in the decontamination of dental instruments should be cleaned carefully before and after each decontamination process cycle. The procedure used should comply with written local policies. Julia Freeman, decontamination lead, discusses best practice in surface decontaminat

Carrying out a risk assessment in a dental practice

A risk assessment is an important step in protecting dental care professionals and patients, as well as complying with the law. As the Health Safety Executive explains, a risk assessment helps you focus on the risks that really matter in your dental practice—the ones with the potential to cause real

Hand hygiene and hand care for dental care professionals

Hand hygiene is important for the protection of patients and dental nurses. However, during hand washing, hand soaps not only remove soils, but also the natural oils that protect the skin. As such, dental nurses need to understand the importance of following a good skin care regime

Use of personal protective equipment in a dental practice

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is exactly what is says; it is designed to protect the person wearing it from outside pathogens/harm that can be picked up in the working environment. This article investigates PPE such as gloves, mask and protective eye wear used in dental practice

An inspection visit from the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission inspects healthcare premises to ensure they meet its standards, particularly on the quality and safety of care. Debra Hackshaw describes what happened during an inspection of a specialist endodontist practice

Disposal of waste in the dental practice setting

Dental nurses have a responsibility and a duty of care for the proper management and disposal of clinical and hazardous waste within their practices. This article outlines best practice, in accordance with current guidance and legislation, on waste management in the dental setting

Legionnaires’ disease: Protecting the public

Doctors in Italy confirmed that a 82-year-old woman who died from Legionnaires’ disease in February contracted the infection from a dental practice. This serves as a timely reminder of a dental nurse's duties in complying with best practice guidance on controlling the risks from Legionella bacteria

How to create a sterile field: The dental nurses’ role

Implants can fail if they become infected, so dental nurses must create a sterile field and follow other precautions to prevent cross-infection. Claire Crabb describes the roles of the dental nurses involved in this process

Ultrasonic cleaners in dental decontamination

It is important to thoroughly clean all instruments of all debris, including blood and dental material, prior to sterilisation. Chris Czyrko discusses the role ultrasonic cleaners can play in cross–infection control