Categories: Operations Update

Emergency Dentistry and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease: Important Sterilizing Procedures

With the COVID-19 outbreak, the American Dental Association has recommended that dentists concentrate on emergency dentistry procedures. The coronavirus responsible for the disease has been detected in the saliva of affected patients. Dental professionals generate aerosols during dental procedures and may end up providing dental care unknowingly to infected but asymptomatic and yet-to-be-diagnosed patients. It is, therefore, important that dentists observe necessary sterilizing procedures to curtail the spread of the disease.

Important sterilizing procedures

Below are the best practices that dentists show follow to ensure proper sterilization of dental instruments. This will help minimize the risk of infection transmission.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

This includes face masks, gloves, safety eyewear and impermeable smocks to serve as a shield from microbial contamination when cleaning or organizing the tools. It also prevents the dental practitioner from passing any infectious agent onto the instruments. Utility gloves are critical when sterilizing dental instruments to prevent accidents. The gloves should be resistant to punctures and chemicals and can be sterilized in a steam autoclave.

Pre-soak the tools

Some busy practices may find it hard to clean the tools instantly after emergency dentistry procedures. This can be a problem because debris like blood can dry out and harden on the instrument. According to the Center for Disease Control, it is crucial to spray soiled instruments with a solution like enzymatic spray gels to break any buildup of biological debris (including blood) until it is time to clean the tools properly.

Clean before steaming

If the debris stays on the tools before they are transferred into the autoclave, the superheated steam may not reach the entire surface of the instrument. Therefore, the CDC guideline demands cleaning visible elements from tools before sterilizing them. The methods of doing this include the following.

Ultrasonic cleaning: This method uses waves to produce oscillating bubbles in an appropriate ultrasonic solution to remove debris. The solution is designed for proper cleaning and contains enzymes to disintegrate bioburden and agents to stop corrosion, spotting and mineral buildup.

Automated instrument washers: These devices save time and ensure efficiency by removing the need to rinse or dry the instruments manually.

Dry and package the tools

Before sterilizing in an autoclave, the instruments need to dry properly to prevent recontamination after sterilization. The instruments will be packaged in wraps or pouches, then sealed to stop exposure to air when they are removed from the sterilizer. The wrap should be one that allows the penetration of sterilization agents and can handle the harsh conditions of steam sterilization.

Load the tools carefully

The autoclave should not be overloaded, as it could cause failed sterilizations. Overloading makes it harder to attain optimum temperature and prevents the sterilization agent from reaching every surface of the equipment. The CDC recommends supervising the sterilization procedure to ensure proper disinfection.

Final note

Dental practices are better equipped to stop the transmission of COVID-19 infection by properly cleaning and sterilizing their instruments. The sterilization procedure keeps the dentist, patients and staff members safe from the disease. When patients come for emergency dentistry procedures, they can rest assured of safety throughout their treatment.

Recent Posts

Choose A Cosmetic Dentist For Cosmetic Dentistry Services

Cosmetic dentistry services have become increasingly popular in recent years. From professional teeth whitening to dental veneers, cosmetic dentists specialize in improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. Here are five reasons to choose a cosmetic dentist for your cosmetic dentistry services.Cosmetic dentists undergo additional training beyond dental school. During this education, they focus…

How Cosmetic Dentists Transform Crooked Teeth

Curious about what a cosmetic dentist can do for crooked teeth? Read on to learn more. Only a few people have perfectly aligned teeth. Crooked teeth affect the smile’s appearance, as well as oral health and function. A cosmetic dentist offers various solutions to straighten the teeth, ranging from braces and aligners to dental veneers.Teeth-straightening…

Dentist Near Me: Comprehensive Care For Oral Health

Typing dentist near me in your search box can give you a great start. Getting comprehensive oral care from the right dental care professional is the goal. A provider near you will give you easier access to necessary dental treatments. Entering dentist near me in your online search can give you an advantage in your…

Hemet Dental Center: Brian Stiewel DDS, INC.

Share
Published by
Hemet Dental Center: Brian Stiewel DDS, INC.

Recent Posts

Choose a Cosmetic Dentist for Cosmetic Dentistry Services

Cosmetic dentistry services have become increasingly popular in recent years. From professional teeth whitening to…

5 days ago

How Cosmetic Dentists Transform Crooked Teeth

Curious about what a cosmetic dentist can do for crooked teeth? Read on to learn…

7 days ago

Dentist Near Me: Comprehensive Care for Oral Health

Maintaining a soothing environment also helps make each visit easier and more pleasant.

1 week ago

Gummy Smile Treatment From a Cosmetic Dentist

A gummy smile shows more gum tissue than expected. If you consider your smile a…

2 weeks ago

Consult a Cosmetic Dentist About Veneers

Dental veneers from a cosmetic dentist help patients achieve a more uniform smile. These wafer-thin…

2 weeks ago

3 Alternatives to Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are frequently used to restore severely damaged teeth.

2 weeks ago