Cross Infection Control at Porthmadog Dental Centre

Porthmadog Dental Centre is one of the very few practices in Wales which has a specific decontamination suite sited in a dedicated area separate to the dental surgery.

Traditionally, dentists have sterilized their instruments in an autoclave next to the dental chair. With the increased incidence of infection such as hepatitis B & C, CJD and HIV, this is no longer deemed to be the best practice.

Our facility comprised 'zoned' areas where dirty instruments move through a well defined process involving ultrasonic baths, washer disinfectors and the latest vacuum autoclaves. The instruments are bagged and expiry dated. They are only opened for use in front of the patients.

Disposable instruments and equipment are used wherever possible. New disposable gloves are used for each patient. All flooring in clinical areas is fully 'capped and coved' to ensure maximum efficiency in cleaning.