How important is sterilization in the dental clinics?
Sterilization refers to any process that eliminates, removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life (microorganisms). After sterilization, an object is referred to as being ‘sterile’ or ‘aseptic’. Sterilization is extremely important in any medical environment as the sterilization process breaks the chain of infection. Sterilization processes are central to our working standards in the clinic.
What is the process of sterilizing dental equipment?
Instruments are soaked and vibrated in a (cold) microbicidal fluid, washed, packed/wrapped and placed in a (hot) B Class Autoclave to be sterilized.
What is an autoclave? How does it work?
An autoclave is a pressure chamber that uses steam and heat of up to 134 degrees C to sterilize equipment. We have 4 high performance, B Class autoclaves. The sterilization process penetrates wrapped, hollow and solid instruments.
What is the cleaning routine in the clinic?
After every patient the operational surfaces, including the patient chair and benches, are disinfected with a medical grade disinfectant. In addition disposable barrier shields are used on all handles, such as the dental light, and on the chair touchpad. All single-use instruments are appropriately disposed of, heat-sensitive instruments are cold sterilized and all other instruments are sterilized through the autoclave process.
All door handles, switches and table surfaces throughout the clinic, including public areas, are wiped with disinfectant hourly.
Patients can trust the medical cleanliness and sterilization processes at the Smilefocus clinics. If you have any further questions on our processes we will be happy to answer.
Call 6834 0877 to make an appointment or visit www.smilefocus.com.sg
