During this era of public concern and media coverage about the hazards of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), you should be informed that we use numerous infection-control procedures to prevent disease transmission in our practice.  We would like to take this opportunity to tell you about these precautions, which we routinely provide for the treatment of all patients.  A portion of this commitment has involved our adoption of federal government regulations that were designed to protect the health and safety of the dental office team.  These procedures protect you - the patient - as much as us.  We are pleased about this, and know you
will be too.

Universal Precautions
You may be surprised to learn that the most frequently performed procedures in our office are not six-month checkups, or even filling
cavities.  The most common procedures are designed to accomplish good infection control with every patient.  This is called applying "universal precautions" -- infection-control measures that are the same for every patient.  We apply these precautions by washing our hands between patients, wearing gloves and using instruments and other items that can be disposed of after each patient, and sterilizing or disinfecting equipment that can be reused.

Our Process
Before you enter the treatment room, the dental unit and chair are cleaned and disinfected with antimicrobial chemicals approved by the US government. All dental instruments are either sterilized or disinfected, as appropriate for the type of material:

• Virtually all instruments can stand high heat. These are first cleaned and then sterilized by one of several proven methods that uses
  high heat.
• Those few items that cannot be heat sterilized or disposed of after treatments are first cleaned and then disinfected with special, high-level chemical disinfectants.

Both methods are approved by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association (ADA).

Sterilization of Equipment
For years, the ADA has recommended heat sterilization of hand pieces (i.e., dental drills) for equipment that can withstand repeated high heat cycles. Modern technology has now made it possible to sterilize all reusable hand pieces. All of our dental instruments have been, and will continue to be cleaned, lubricated, and steam-sterilized between each patient use. These procedures are also applied to our hand pieces.

Checklist for Patients
We care about the health and well-being of all our patients and employees. To prove this for yourself, use the following checklist the next time you visit us and note how we perform each item:

• washing hands and changing gloves
• wearing protective clothing
• appropriate sterilization and disinfection
• providing wrapped, sterile instruments for treatment
• keeping the office spotlessly clean
• properly cleaning and sterilizing hand pieces
• using disposable items
• proper disposal of waste

Healthcare safety is everyone's concern - yours and ours.  We take the responsibility of treating you and your family very seriously.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call before your next appointment, or talk with us during your next office visit.  We are very proud of our infection-control program and are happy to discuss it with you.