One in 25 people can expect to get a healthcare-related illness from a hospital. No matter how much the building is clean and sanitized, it attracts infections.
Dentists offices aren’t too different. When working with patients as closely as dentists do, there is a higher chance they will unintentionally spread illnesses. That means medical safety should be a top concern of all dental professionals.
That includes dentists and their assistants. Everyone from the ones wearing gloves to the people behind the front desk should strive to prevent illnesses. But it can be harder than it seems.
Keep reading to learn five useful tips on how to keep your next patient safe and healthy!
1. Medical Safety Starts Before You Come to Work
All medical professionals need to remember that health safety starts at home. They need to keep themselves clean and sanitary so that they don’t unintentionally carry bacteria to work.
Clothes should be cleaned frequently, and basic hygiene is a must. Otherwise, bacteria clings to the cloth or to a person’s skin. And since dental professionals work in the people’s mouths, that bacteria can be transferred easily.
2. Wash Your Hands. Wash Your Gloves
That means professionals need to keep everything that touches a patient’s mouth clean. Just wearing a glove isn’t enough. The glove needs to be fresh from the box and visibly clean.
Even if a glove is clean, bacteria from a hand can still manage to infect people. Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly after working with each patient.
3. Wash Everything
In fact, wash everything. Your office should be pristine and sparkling, or at least as close as you can get it. That means cleaning the windows and dusting above the cabinets. Hire a commercial floor cleaning service to ensure nothing nasty is hiding in your carpet.
A dirty office can also impact your business. If it’s not clean, patients will think you simply don’t care. Not only will they doubt your ability, but they also won’t want to show up for their next appointment.
4. Make Sure Records Are Up to Date
There is a rare hereditary disease called malignant hyperthermia that basically makes people allergic to anesthesia. If they get general anesthesia, their brain basically melts.
If that isn’t shown your records, you can endanger your patient if they need a wisdom tooth removed. According to federal law, it is your responsibility to protect your patients. Failure to do so will land you criminal neglect charges.
5. Work Hard to Keep Patients Healthy. But Not Too Hard
Finally, don’t overwork yourself or your staff. An overworked doctor will make mistakes. So will the assistants that prepare patients before them.
Something as small as forgetting to sanitize a tool or opening a new package of gloves can lead to spreading illness. And it’s easy to forget the small things when you’re tired. So take a break if you or your staff need it. It’s better to wait for a little than risk the health of your patients.
Dental Health Is More than Just White Teeth
Dental health can affect the entire body. Bacterial endocarditis starts begins in the mouth but can spread to the heart. And if your patient has a heart abnormality, the illness can be fatal.
So while you’re making sure your patient’s smile is perfect, give them a reason to smile. Make sure they’re healthy by taking these steps to keep a clean and better office! And if you need ideas on how to do that, you can always keep reading here!