Our Dental Practice Infection Control...

At Saltire Dental Practice we take the wellbeing and safety of our patients very seriously. We understand the concerns many patients have over cross infection control in medicine and dentistry today and we would like to share our protocols with you. Saltire Dental Care follows all of the national guidelines for cross infection control. We use disposable materials wherever possible. In situations where the use of disposable equipment is not possible the following methods are used to ensure the highest levels of sterility. Cross infection control prevents the spreading of infectious diseases from staff to patient, patient to staff and from one patient to another.

Autoclaves

Autoclaves are by far the most effective way of killing germs. All instruments such as mirrors, dental drills and metal hand instruments that are capable of being autoclaved are fully sterilised after every patient. The autoclave works by bathing the instruments over a period of time with steam at a very high temperature and pressure.

Chemical Disinfection

Some instruments such as plastics, the work surfaces and the dental chair cannot be placed inside an autoclave. These items are fully disinfected using powerful chemicals which are designed to kill bacteria and viruses.

Gloves and Masks

A new set of disposable gloves is worn for every patient. The dentist will wear a face mask during any operative procedure. These simple precautions are highly effective in the prevention of cross infection.

Sterilisation Room

This is our new sterilisation room, known as a LDU (Local Decontamination Unit). The room is designed in such a way that the flow of instruments travel around the room from dirty, through various cleaning stages, to fully autoclaved and sterilised instruments. Air extraction is arranged so that air movement prevents cross-contamination. All the units are of seamless stainless steel with easy-clean walls and floor.

All of our cross infection control procedures are kept under strict control and are monitored against national guidelines such as those of the British Dental Association.