Sterilization and Your Safety

Providing quality care in a clean, safe environment is our ongoing commitment to you and all of the patients of our practice.

Your health and safety are our first priority! All guidelines for sterilization and cleanliness are followed. It is our goal to provide you with a secure, clean, safe environment on every visit.

Each treatment room as well as all equipment and other work surfaces that have been used for patient care, are thoroughly disinfected between patients. This assures a safe clean environment.

All instruments capable of withstanding high heat are autoclaved (steam-sterilized) which kills infectious bacteria and viruses. The autoclaves are tested weekly to insure that they are operating properly.  We use the Midmark M11 UltraClave TM

All hand-pieces (drills) and burs (drill bits) are autoclaved after each use.

All items that cannot tolerate high heat, such as plastics, are disinfected in a chemical solution formulated to kill infectious bacteria and viruses.

Many items are single-use and are disposed of after each patient. This includes all syringes  and saliva ejectors (the plastic tips on the suction tube which are placed in the mouth to remove saliva).                                                                                                          
The rubber cups which hold the paste used to polish your teeth are disposed of after each use.

Gloves and masks are worn to prevent transmission of disease between you and our staff. Gloves are never used on more than one patient.

All surfaces are disinfected with a chemical solution again formulated to kill infectious bacteria, spores, and viruses. Barriers (paper covers, etc.) are used whenever possible.

We continually monitor our procedures for compliance with OSHA, Centers for Disease Control, and the American Dental Association recommendations.

All of our staff is continually updated on the latest in sterilization and disinfecting techniques. These techniques and procedures are regularly monitored to assure our strict protocol.

These are the many measures Givens Family Dentistry takes to provide you the safest health-care environment possible... there are no exceptions!

If you have specific questions regarding sterilization procedures, please ask any of our staff members. They will be happy to answer all of your questions.