How does our dental office keep you safe during your visit?
Along with proper screening and use of personal protective equipment, our office also performs regular disinfection of all operating room surfaces between each patient and sterilizes all instruments between each use, following strict safety protocols, as it has always done.
In addition to these usual measures, aseptic standards have been raised to even stricter levels as a result of the pandemic. The usage of a fogging machine containing HOCL between patients as well as in all common areas is an additional safety measure adopted by our clinic, in addition to those required by the Ordre des dentistes du Québec, which ensures greater safety for patients and staff.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 spreads primarily from person to person - when droplets reach another person’s mouth or nose or when you come in close contact with an infected person.
However, transmission can also happen once you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face or another person's.
How long do contaminants stay in the air and surfaces?
According to a study, this is how long contaminants can stay in the environment:
- Oral fluid droplets in the air - for 8 to 14 minutes
- Surface aerosols - for up to 3 hours
- Copper - for up to 4 hours
- Cardboard - for up to 24 hours
- On plastic and stainless steel - for up to 2 to 3 days
This data reinforces the need to regularly disinfect surfaces to reduce the risk of transmissions at home, in potentially exposed areas, and in offices, which includes dental practices.
Using disinfectants to fight Coronavirus
A disinfectant works by altering the structure or destroying the cell wall of the virus it comes in contact with. The US Environmental Agency released a list of products that can be used as a disinfectant and help protect against COVID-19. Included on this list is the hypochlorous acid (HOCl).
What is the hypochlorous acid (HOCl)
The hypochlorous acid or HOCI is a transparent and colorless liquid that resembles tap water.
It’s safe for use even if it enters the eyes. It’s an ideal sanitizer and disinfectant as it's non-toxic, relatively cheap, non-corrosive, environmentally-friendly, and powerful. Hypochlorous acid is naturally produced by white blood cells of all mammals. It plays an important role in the immune system killing pathogens through oxidation and chlorination.
When used in surfaces to disinfect outpatient surgical centers, rooms were found to have significantly lower bacterial counts than rooms that were cleaned using standard disinfection methods.
It can also inactivate various viruses within 1 minute.
Using HOCI to disinfect our dental office
We disinfect the whole clinic at least three times a day using hypochlorous acid.
HOCI is our preferred disinfectant as it’s easy to source, produce, and is effective. We use a fogging machine or a fogger to apply it, and ensure that concentration levels are at an ideal range to effectively reduce viruses.
HOCI has long been used in several industries, including the food sector. Using it as a disinfectant in large spaces, such as dental practices, helps get rid of aerosols that otherwise can remain in the environment for a long period.
Under ideal conditions, HOCI can stay effective for up to 2 weeks. It’s more practical and efficient than using other commercial disinfecting products, such as wipes.
Ensuring safe and stress-free dental experience during the pandemic
We follow strict safety protocols to protect both our dental team and patients. Using a safe and effective disinfection method is one of many ways we fight COVID.
Please contact us first to schedule an appointment or if you have any dental-related questions. For everyone’s peace of mind, we discourage walk-ins and do our best to limit the number of people in the office at a given time.
We’re one with you in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being during this tough time.