Is the dental equipment sterilized?
Many patients are apprehensive about visiting a dentist, since they are not sure whether the dental equipment used is properly sterilized and do not want to get a new infection after visiting the dentist. If fact, if have a choice, most patients will try to get the first dental appointment of the day, to avoid this problem.
Most dental offices sterilize the instruments used for treating the patient. They use either a chemical or heat method of sterilization of the dental equipment and tools. The heat sterilization method is the most commonly used method for dental treatment. A high temperature is reached, so that all bacteria are killed. Some low cost dental instruments are disposable and new instruments are used for every patient.
However, some dentists may say that they are sterilizing, but just wipe off the equipment and use it on the next patient. In such cases, it is important to closely observer the office and staff to understand how sanitary it is.
Some of the indicators of the sanitation level are:
1. The staff should wash their hands before they see the patient
2. Are plastic barriers used
3. Whether the package of dental instruments is opened in front of the patient.