Infection control and room setup procedures between every patient. Ensures operatory is properly decontaminated and prepared for the next procedure per CDC and OSHA guidelines.
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Add this checklist Browse morePut on appropriate personal protective equipment before handling any contaminated surfaces or instruments.
PPE is your first line of defense against bloodborne pathogens and infectious material. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employees to wear appropriate PPE when exposure to blood or OPIM is anticipated. Turnover involves heavy contact with contaminated surfaces - gloving up first is non-negotiable.
1. Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. 2. Put on a clean disposable gown or lab coat. 3. Put on a new surgical mask covering nose and mouth. 4. Put on protective eyewear. 5. Put on examination gloves. 6. You are now ready to handle contaminated items.
Carefully remove all used instruments and dispose of single-use items in the appropriate waste containers.
Proper handling of contaminated instruments prevents needlestick injuries and cross-contamination. Sharps injuries are the most common occupational hazard in dentistry. Containing items immediately reduces exposure risk and keeps the operatory organized for efficient turnover.
1. Remove sharps first and place directly into the sharps container - never recap needles. 2. Place used instruments into the transport cassette for sterilization. 3. Dispose of single-use items into regular or regulated waste as appropriate. 4. Dispose of blood-saturated items into biohazard waste. 5. Remove and discard barrier covers. 6. Transport contaminated instruments to sterilization.
Spray and wipe all clinical contact surfaces with an EPA-registered intermediate-level disinfectant.
Surface disinfection between patients is mandated by CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings. Clinical contact surfaces can harbor pathogens for hours to days. Hepatitis B virus survives on surfaces for up to 7 days. Proper disinfection breaks the chain of infection.
1. Spray all clinical contact surfaces with EPA-registered disinfectant. 2. Cover: chair, bracket tray, light handles, delivery unit, air/water syringe, handpiece holders, suction holders, curing light, countertops, drawer pulls, and switches. 3. Let sit for manufacturer's recommended contact time (1-3 min). 4. Wipe with clean paper towel. 5. For stubborn debris, use spray-wipe-spray technique.
Place new barrier covers on all surfaces that are difficult to clean or frequently touched.
Barriers provide an additional layer of protection for surfaces with complex geometry that are nearly impossible to thoroughly disinfect. Light handles, chair controls, and X-ray heads benefit most. Barriers make turnover faster and more reliable.
1. Apply new barriers to: light handles, chair controls, X-ray tube head, air/water syringe handle, HVE holders, bracket tray handle, and other surfaces per protocol. 2. Use plastic wrap, sleeves, or manufacturer-specific covers. 3. Ensure barriers are smooth and secure. 4. Extend barriers to cover the entire contact surface.
Run water through handpieces and air/water syringes for 20-30 seconds to flush lines between patients.
Between-patient flushing removes patient material that may have been retracted into waterlines. The CDC recommends 20-30 second flush between patients as a minimum infection control measure. This is separate from the 2-minute morning flush and focuses on preventing cross-contamination.
1. Turn on each handpiece and air/water syringe. 2. Let water run into cuspidor or cup for 20-30 seconds. 3. Flush any other water-connected device used during the procedure. 4. Discard flushed water.
Open sterile instrument packages and arrange instruments and materials for the next patient's procedure.
A properly set up operatory allows the appointment to start on time and flow smoothly. The assistant should hand instruments in exact sequence without searching or leaving the room. Every minute of doctor downtime costs $8-15 in lost production.
1. Review the next patient's chart for procedure and alerts. 2. Select the appropriate sterile instrument cassette or pouches. 3. Check the process indicator to confirm sterilization. 4. Open using aseptic technique. 5. Arrange instruments in the order of use. 6. Set out procedure-specific materials.
Confirm the next patient's identity, procedure, medical history alerts, and special instructions.
Verifying the patient and procedure prevents wrong-patient or wrong-tooth errors. Reviewing medical alerts catches conditions requiring premedication, allergy warnings, or modified treatment approaches such as anticoagulant therapy or bisphosphonate use.
1. Open the next patient's chart. 2. Confirm the scheduled procedure matches the treatment plan. 3. Review medical alerts: allergies, medications, systemic conditions. 4. Check premedication requirements. 5. Review notes from the last visit. 6. Note the patient's preferred name.
Replace any consumable supplies used during the previous appointment so the operatory is fully stocked.
Restocking between patients prevents running out mid-procedure, forcing the assistant to leave the operatory and break the chain of assist. Keep the operatory self-sufficient by restocking after every patient rather than waiting until supplies run out.
1. Replace used items: bibs, cotton rolls, gauze, suction tips, prophy paste, fluoride, composite tips. 2. Replace the rinse cup. 3. Restock anesthetic if fewer than 3 cartridges remain. 4. Check glove boxes. 5. Restock barrier materials if needed.