10 Questions to Ask Your Team to Test Your Dental Infection Control Standards

One area that seems to be challenging for dental practices, pre and post pandemic, is that of training new and existing employees on consistent infection control practices. Everyone on your team should be performing tasks in the same way. Use a guideline to test their understanding, then host a meeting to address areas of confusion. Here is a simple 10-point guideline to get your started:

1. What is our office protocol for hand hygiene? 

2. What is the proper use of gloves for each procedure and with each patient? 

3. Are single-use items only being used once? 

4. How do we inspect broken, rusted, or malfunctioning instruments or equipment, and what are the procedures for replacing them? 

5. Do we regularly check the function and effectiveness of our sterilizer, including routine spore testing and chemical indicators? How do we keep records of this information? 

6. When an operatory is used, are surface disinfectants used properly to first clean, then disinfect?

7. What barriers and disposable covers are being used in patient care areas? Are they changed between each patient? 

8. Do we regularly check the function of our ultrasonic cleaner and/or instrument washer? Are we using proper enzymatic cleaners in them? 

9. Is our office properly preparing dental unit waterlines for patient care to remove biofilm? 

10.Does our office have an infection control manual describing specific procedures for our practice? How is everyone trained and updated?

If you are uncertain on the accuracy of your policies or need assistance with implementing protocols, DHP has partnered with Dental Enhancements to help. Dental Enhancements offers a webinar-based training to certify your entire team. Take the guess work out of your compliance plan and contact their team today!

Chloe Sims

Marketing Director- DHP