Infection Control

Virginia Family Dentistry is dedicated to maintaining a high standard of infection prevention across all its dental settings.

1. Adherence to Laws and Guidelines: We follow federal and state laws, especially the CDC’s guidelines, to prevent infections in dental healthcare settings. This includes Virginia-specific regulations and resources from various state boards and departments.
2. Hand Hygiene: Hand washing is crucial to prevent cross-contamination and reduce infections. We comply with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard for proper hand hygiene.
3. Water Quality in Dental Units: We use advanced water filtration systems to ensure the water used in dental procedures is clean and safe, testing it regularly to meet quality standards.
4. Sterile Surgical Irrigation: During surgeries, we use sterile single-use devices and solutions to ensure patient safety.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Our staff wear protective gear, like masks, gloves, and eye protection, following CDC and OSHA standards to prevent the spread of infections.
6. Respiratory Hygiene: We have measures to limit the spread of respiratory infections, such as cough etiquette and advanced air filtration systems in our HVAC systems.
7. Safe Injection Practices: We follow strict protocols for safe injections and handling of sharp instruments to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
8. Sterilization of Instruments: All handpieces and devices are thoroughly sterilized between patients, following manufacturer and CDC guidelines.
9. Monitoring Sterilization Effectiveness: We have a quality control system to ensure that instruments are properly sterilized, reducing the risk of infection.
10. Instrument Processing: Instruments are categorized based on infection risk and sterilized accordingly. Some items are disposable for single use.
11. Treatment Room Cleaning: After each patient, surfaces are cleaned and disinfected using EPA-registered hospital disinfectants.
12. Hazardous Waste Management: We properly handle, store, and dispose of hazardous waste, following OSHA standards.
13. Training and Education: There is an ongoing training program for dental health care personnel to follow infection prevention and safety principles.

In summary, Virginia Family Dentistry takes comprehensive steps to ensure a safe, hygienic, and infection-free environment for both patients and staff. For additional resources, please visit the CDC’s Guidelines for Infection Prevention in Dental Healthcare Settings and the Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care.