More than 67% of the US population visits the dentist office at least once each year, meaning millions of Americans are exposed to potential healthcare acquired infections. According to a report by Dr H. Cody Meissner at Tufts University, a breakdown in basic infection prevention practices in between patient visits may lead to increased risk of transmission of infectious agents. Now more than ever it is critical that dental practices of any size ensure that infectious diseases do not spread from surface to surface, room to room, and between patients.
Infection Prevention Strategies & Tools
The threat of harmful pathogens can be found throughout any medical or dental practice. To fight these pathogens, it is vital to come up with a bundled infection prevention plan that specifically addresses dental office environments, patient populations, and potential risks. A bundled infection prevention incorporates multiple infection prevention tools, is easy to implement, is comprehensive, and effective.
Your first line of defense is hand washing and consistent glove protocol for all staff, which are two of simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections at a dental office. Incorporating signage on the office’s hand washing & glove policies throughout the office in places visible to staff and patients indicates to both groups the importance of infection prevention. Many infection preventionists recommend a “clean in, clean out” approach, wherein hands and equipment are cleaned or disinfected on the way into the patient’s room or common areas and on the way out again.
Manual cleaning and disinfection is a key element of a bundled infection prevention approach. Dentists are perhaps more prepared than other medical professionals on this front due to the prevalence of autoclave machines. It’s important, however, to also ensure surfaces are cleaned within the office, waiting room, and check-in/-out areas as well. In reducing environmental bioburden, potential contribution to the incidence of healthcare-associated infections is decreased.
Cleaning and disinfection will reduce, but often does not eliminate, dangerous pathogens.This is where a bundled approach that includes UVC disinfection becomes an essential tool.
Why Fixed UV Light Disinfection for Your Dental Practice?
Studies have confirmed that UVC light is an effective addition to manual cleaning efforts and can kill harmful pathogens quickly and efficiently. Exposure to UVC light for a specific length of time and intensity kills dangerous microorganisms. The American Journal of Infection Control notes that combining UVC technology with manual cleaning is one of the most effective ways to significantly decrease the pool of harmful pathogens that cause infection.
The RD-Fx UVC System delivers an ultra-fast and effective UVC dose for killing harmful pathogens when disinfecting your dental office without having to be moved or positioned with each use. The wall mounted system, uniquely designed and positioned by Steriliz experts based on your dentist office layout, enables rooms to be disinfected between patient cases in as little as two minutes. Much like your x-ray machine, RD-Fx’s control panel is located outside of the room for safe operation of the system.
In addition, RD UVC and the new RD-Fx are the only UVC disinfection systems that records and reports a calibrated dose delivered—in real-time—ensuring you have the proof of compliance data needed for potential government reporting and communication to patients. Critical information like date, time, operator, room number, cycle time and delivered dose is captured to ensure delivery infection preventing UVC doses throughout the space.
UVC Disinfection on Surfaces and in the Air
With the CDC’s recent report that Coronavirus can remain infective for up to 16 hours in respirable-sized aerosols, all healthcare leaders need to consider disinfection of not just surfaces, but the air in their facility as well. The RD-Fx UVC System is uniquely positioned to address both surface and airborne bioburdens and help keep patients and workers safe in dental offices, operating/procedure rooms, and other health office settings.
The RD-Fx UVC System delivers an ultra-fast and effective UVC dose for killing harmful pathogens without having to be moved with each use. The wall-mounted system, uniquely designed and positioned by Steriliz experts based on your patient visit room layout, enables rooms to be disinfected between patient cases in as little as two minutes. By disinfecting both surface areas and potential aerosolized pathogens, RD-Fx ensures patients remain safe when in your care.
Reduce Infections, Ensure Safety, Maximize Patient Confidence
Employing a UVC disinfection system can be a critical differentiator to current and potential new patients for your practice. RD UVC and RD-Fx add to your team’s manual cleaning efforts and lessens the risk of human error in infection prevention. Incorporate your practice’s infection prevention efforts throughout your office and in all patient communications or promotions. Promoting your office’s use of UVC disinfection reassures patients’ confidence in your practice and can even convince others to consider moving to your dental office because of the added level of protection that RD UVC can deliver.
Ready to put the power of UVC disinfection to work in your dental practice?
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