Implementation of effective infection control: furnishing a ­dental practice

The increasing resistance to antibiotics and the aging of the population of patients who visit the dental practice can lead to more frequent infections with (resistant) microorganisms. The prevention of cross contamination by the implementation of effective measures in the area of hygiene and procedures of infection control is therefore important. The furnishing of a dental practice can play an important part in prevention. What are the important issues in furnishing a practice? A distinction is made between ‘critical’ and ‘non-critical’ rooms. Patients are only treated and instruments are only prepared for reuse in critical rooms. In these rooms, a strict separation is maintained between clean and contaminated, in both place and time. Only furniture that is strictly necessary for the treatment of patients is present in the critical rooms. Materials and equipment that are kept within the splatter area must be stored as much as possible in drawers and closed cabinets. Water taps can be controlled in a touch-free manner and are located within the present walking routes of the practice.