While for most patients, the dentist experience is a 15-minute wait followed by two minutes of prodding, there are just as many health and safety issues as you would come across in a hospital. Health and safety is a key facet in dentistry for practice managers to protect patients and staff. A comprehensive approach to health and safety helps minimise the risks and promotes a safe environment.
Promote Infection Control
A critical aspect of health and safety, always present, but heightened in the post-COVID era. Dental checkups and surgery often involve exposure to breath, blood, saliva and other bodily fluids, making it essential to prevent cross-contamination.
All dentists use disposable gloves, masks and shields as part of their daily work. Dental tools are sterilised on autoclaves, but a broad approach to surface and waiting room deep cleaning should be a clear part of the overall approach to infection control.
Wider use of PPE
While the ideal situation would see people with COVID, chest infections and other ailments reschedule their dental appointments, many do not appreciate the severity or existence of their conditions. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital for patients and staff, protecting receptionists and others. It should be a condition of entry for visitors exhibiting symptoms or sharing a residence with ill people.
The Safe Handling of Dental Materials
Dental materials, notably amalgam and its mercury component require safe use and storage. Others such as dental impression molds, fillers and composites all require proper storage, usage, and disposal to ensure patient safety.
Training of new staff, and regular refreshers, especially as new products enter the dental market are vital to maintain safety and prevent waste or improper disposal.
Radiation Safety
The use of lasers, curing UV lights, x-ray machines and other technology is a common sight in dental diagnostics. But they involve exposure to ionising radiation and other hazards, requiring radiation safety measures and the correct signage to protect dentists, patients and other staff.
Practices should move to digital radiography over traditional film-based methods as this reduces radiation levels. And as new laser technology becomes available all staff require training on the health and safety implications.
Dental Ergonomics
As with any role where there are repetitive movements and strains, dentists and staff should appreciate the need for an ergonomically friendly environment. Dentists and hygienists should make use of ergonomic chairs and instruments designed to reduce the strains on muscles and joints. They also take regular breaks (and be reminded to take them when necessary). Practice managers can identify useful stretching exercises to help staff alleviate muscle tension.
Emergency Incident Preparedness
Stress in the dental chair or office can lead to any number of medical emergencies that staff should be prepared to deal with in advance of first responder and ambulance arrival.
As with any occupational health role, dental practices should have the appropriate emergency equipment and medications to hand, with a suitable number of staff trained to use them in an emergency situation. This can include oxygen to help breathing, defibrillators to address cardiac issues, and emergency medical kits on hand with EpiPens to cope with allergic reactions and so on.
Staff should be trained in basic life support, resuscitation and other methods to help patients, while a standard procedure to support parents and other relatives in case of emergency should be discussed during training.
Provide Patient Education
None of the above is useful if patients do not know about health and safety practices. Therefore, waiting room videos, and clear signage, plus pre-warning and advice in appointment emails or other messaging is vital to ensure good dental care and practice management. Informed patients are more likely to follow staff advice, and post-treatment instructions to maintain oral hygiene, reducing the risk of complications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dr Sam Jethwa, lead clinician of Bespoke Smile says, “Health and safety in dentistry cover a growing range of treatments and practices that require a multifaceted response. One that encompasses infection control, PPE, safe handling of dental materials, radiation safety, ergonomics and patient education. By teaching ourselves, our staff and patients about these practices, we as a profession can create a safe environment for professionals and patients, ensuring a safe visit every time.”
