Health & Safety

Sterilisation

• All dental instruments are sterilised and work surfaces disinfected as recommended by the British Dental Association and the General Dental Council, as well as the Department of Health.
• All areas prone to spreading infection by contact, i.e. light handles, hand piece tubing, suction tubing, X-ray timer switch, dental chair head rest, triple syringe handle, etc., are wrapped with plastic covers and replaced between each patient.
• We use a combination of methods that together are designed to give 100% protection for patients and staff.
• All metal instruments and hand pieces are sterilised between each patient, by autoclave (high pressure steam) as in hospitals.
• Needles and disposable surgical items are supplied ready sterilised in sealed packs and used only once.
• Cups, hand towels, impression trays etc. are made of plastic or paper and thrown away after one single use only. We routinely wear disposable gloves during all treatment and change them between each patient.
• It is the policy of Stella Maris Dental to always use disposable items whenever possible.

Patients are welcome to visit the Central Sterilisation Room to inform and reassure them of all the precautions that are routinely taken to protect them and their families.

Stella Maris Dental meets all of the relevant requirements for the safe and effective provision of quality, comprehensive and modern dental services to all its patients at all times namely;

• Regular professional training by all staff at Stella Maris Dental to improve and increase knowledge in the ever expanding field of modern dental care from fissure sealing to preventing tooth decay to dental implants which provide as natural a tooth replacement as possible.
• All the recommendations of British Dental Association (BDA), the General Dental Council (GDC), the faculty of General Dental Practitioners at the Royal College of Surgeons and the Department of Health (DoH) regarding the control of cross infection in a modern dental practice are strictly adhered to.
• A Central Sterilisation Room just like in a General Hospital. Patients are welcome to visit the facility.
• Policy regarding cross infection control procedures at Stella Maris Dental.
• Meets all the Health & Safety regulations regarding Ionizing Radiations (X-Rays) rules with certification and regular x-ray dose monitoring.
• Pressure systems & Gas Container Regulations (1989) with Certification.
• Clinical waste disposal and C.O.S.S.H. Regulations including the safe disposal of dental amalgam, with certification.
• CPR (emergency collapse) training of all staff with certification 2 times per year. The Dept. of Health regulations recommend  once per year! 
• Policy regarding dental patients' total confidentiality when dealing with Stella Maris Dental, whether for treatments or financial matters.