Is Your Practice Fully Protected? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) should wear a surgical mask, eye protection (goggles, protective eyewear with solid side shields, or a full-face shield), a gown or protective clothing, and gloves during procedures likely to generate splashing or spattering of blood or other body fluids.

During aerosol-generating procedures conducted on patients assumed to be non-contagious, DHCP should use an N95 respirator or a respirator that offers a higher level of protection such as other disposable filtering facepiece respirators, PAPRs [powered air-purifying respirators], or elastomeric respirators, if available.”

For complete, up-to-date information, consult the CDC Guidance for Dental Settings.

According to the CDC, “Take steps to ensure patients and staff adhere to respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, as well as hand hygiene, and all patients follow triage procedures throughout the duration of the visit.

Post visual alerts (e.g., signs, posters) at the entrance and in strategic places (e.g., waiting areas, elevators, break rooms) to provide instructions (in appropriate languages) about hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. Instructions should include wearing a cloth face covering or facemask for source control, and how and when to perform hand hygiene.

Provide supplies for respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, including alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) with 60– 95% alcohol, tissues, and no-touch receptacles for disposal, at healthcare facility entrances, waiting rooms, and patient check-ins.” For complete, up-to-date information, consult the CDC Guidance for Dental Settings.

You can also encourage healthy habits with the A-dec Protect and Sanitize Station. Patients can easily access hand sanitizer, tissues, and face masks from one convenient stand.

Administrative Controls: According to the CDC, “If aerosol-generating procedures are necessary for dental care, use four-handed dentistry, high evacuation suction and dental dams to minimize droplet spatter and aerosols. The number of DHCP present during the procedure should be limited to only those essential for patient care and procedure support.” For more information, consult the CDC Guidance for Dental Settings.

Engineering Controls: The CDC also recommends that you properly maintain ventilation systems and “consider the use of a portable HEPA air filtration unit while the patient is undergoing, and immediately following, an aerosol-generating procedure. For more information, consult the consult the CDC Guidance for Dental Settings.

The A-dec Large Bore HVE provides up to 45% more air flow than a standard HVE. It easily integrates into your existing A-dec equipment with no additional tubing, connections, or operatory space needed.

In procedures where aerosols may be generated, the CDC recommends the use of dental dams to minimize droplet spatter and aerosols. For complete, up-to-date information, consult the CDC Guidance for Dental Settings.

According to the CDC, “results of biological monitoring should be recorded and sterilization monitoring records (i.e., mechanical, chemical, and biological) retained long enough to comply with state and local regulations. Such records are a component of an overall dental infection-control program.” For complete, up-to-date information, consult the CDC Guidance for Dental Settings.

According to the CDC, “Set up operatories so that only the clean or sterile supplies and instruments needed for the dental procedure are readily accessible. All other supplies and instruments should be in covered storage, such as drawers and cabinets, and away from potential contamination.” For complete, up-to-date information, consult the CDC Guidance for Dental Settings.

The A-dec Inspire Sterilization Center offers no-touch storage options with space to safely store sterile instruments.

With every touch surface you eliminate in your office, you can remove another opportunity for cross contamination or accidental exposure to microorganisms and contaminants. This is essential in the sterilization room—which is why the A-dec Inspire Sterilization Center offers a number of touch-free options, such as a foot-activated faucet, hands-free upper storage, and a motion-activated instrument dryer. Download A-dec’s Sterilization & Material Management Solutions Guide for more information.

A-dec recommends barrier protection for all applicable touch and transfer surfaces. In areas where barriers don’t make sense, or if they become compromised, download the A-dec Equipment Asepsis Guide, or the appropriate product Instructions for Use, for further guidance on cleaning and chemical disinfection.

A-dec recommends that you initially test your water quality at least once per month. If monthly results pass your clinic’s water quality goal for all treatment rooms for three successive months, reduce the testing frequency to once every three months. Contact your A-dec dealer for information about in-office water monitoring test kits or water quality testing services.

Here's a list of COVID-19 infection prevention resources. A-dec Territory Managers can also help you navigate these challenging times. Contact your local A-dec Territory Manager – A-dec's infection prevention experts.