Metal Mouth Message Board

The other day was the first time I was in the orthos when other patients were present. The orthodontist and his assistant used hand gel between patients and between handling the phone and patients. They didn't wash their hands with soap and water that whole time I was there (just over an hour and working on 3 different patients, answering the phone, etc.). They did use gloves, of course, and these were changed each time they changed activities.

Then, when they were almost finished with me, the assistant sprayed something (I'm assuming an antiseptic) onto regular paper towels and started wrapping the wet towels around the water spray head and light gun that they used in my mouth. (Sorry, I don't know the technical names for these instruments). I'm kind of freaked out because I assumed these things went through an autoclave or something to sterilize them between patients. Is dampening them with a paper towel sprayed with antiseptic sufficient?!?

Ack. I'd hate to have to go find another ortho at this point but the hygiene level just doesn't seem to be up to what I'm used to at my regular dentist. My dentist is constantly washing his hands, every time he leaves my treatment room and then returns, he washes. He sets out a sterile blue disposal towel to set any tools on. . .the ortho just had everything set right on the little counter surface.

Pebs

Yes, that's really nasty. I mean their handling other peoples dental issues, I'd want to think they would be more clean and sterilize more.


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i work in a dental office and what they are doing so really good. in my clinic we use the hand sanitizer because studies have shown that soap does not safice and is more hygenic. Also you can't put he dental unit and all its attachments in the autoclave. the spray that they use is very strong. so strong in fact that you have to wear gloves when you sanitize. Don't worry, your ortho is doing a very good job.

Thank you both for your replies. It's gratifying to see that I'm not the only one who would have thought the practices were objectionable. . .and to find out that perhaps they are proper practices after all!

Pebs

i have a b.s. in biology and hand sanitizer works as well if not better than soap and water. as far as antiseptic it should do the job killing the germs...but its good to be concerned about these things.