Hygiene at the dentist's

[Bathsheba]

Ok, so you're in the dentist's chair, with the bib, glasses etc on, + the dentist puts on a fresh pair of latex gloves and dives in. Then she takes her hand from your mouth, + adjusts the overhead light,...can you see where I'm heading with this? As far as I can tell, the handle on that light must be crawling with whatever bugs were in the previous patient's saliva. Or am I missing something here? Thanks.

[Carriemunky]

Mmm yes never thought about that. That's disgusting, why don't you bring it up with your dentist the next time you go

[yogasun]

Actually Bathsheba you have a very good point and it's something I hadn't thought about.
However, as I have to visit the dentist this Friday having had toothache all weekend (which incidentally has now gone - typical) I shall be very aware of it and half wish you hadn't mentioned it (!!)

[squarebear]

I assume the light gets cleaned from time to time? You are surrounded by billions of germs all the time and to be afraid of something like this would border on the obssessive.

[yogasun]

Yes I guess squarebear has a good point. I can remember when dentists didn't bother at all with gloves and I don't remember them washing their hands between patients!

[Bathsheba]

I'm not obsessive squarebear, just choosy who I share my saliva with!

[B00]

Maybe the dentist or the nurse cleans the handle between each patient?

A word of advise though- I'd mention your concerns to the dentist AFTER she's fettled in your gob, I should imagine an "accidential slip" with that drill is ruddy painful!

[~max~]

Exactly why I never complain DURING a meal at the restaurant, but always after. Don't want anybody spitting in my dinner....lol

[Bathsheba]

Cheers Boo, but as she's a NH dentist I wouldn't dream of complaining- I don't want her to boot me out! x

[daffy654]

My dentist has some clear plastic covers on the light handles that he changes before every patient is seated. He is the only dentist i've been to that uses them though.

[moonshadow]

My dentist wraps a small piece of cling film around the light adjuster bar before he puts his gloves on, for every patient. I think you are right to be questioning this. Why don't you mention it to the receptionist next time you have an appointment it will give your dentist a chance to rectify her dirty habit without you actually confronting her.

[Supernick]

I think that people can be a bit sqeamish about these things. Everyone either bites their nails, picks their nose, picks their teeth, licks their finger if something gets on it, handles dirty object etc etc. People touch things all the time. Everything I'm handling, from my keyboard, to my phone, the mug of tea I was brought, the calculator I've borrowed etc have all been touched by someone. And we all do the above things.

[MrXLA]

Dentists wash their hand between patients.
They change gloves between patients.
The dentist or dental assistant will use antiseptic/aseptic cleaning solutions on the surfaces including the handles of the light (as part of the cross infection control procedures).
Where possible the dentist and assitant will use the 'non touch' technique in an attempt to maintain asepsis.
Some dentists have plastic/barrier wrap around handles.
Instruments are debrided, cleaned and then sterilised and re-bagged.
Disposable instruments and equipment are thrown away.
Needles are not re-used.
Gloves are not re-used.
If you have any concerns then I would suggest taking them up with practice/clinic manager/prinicipal.

[MrXLA]

NB - If there is the suggestion/evidence that adequte cross-infection control procedures are not being followed then investigation would lead to a practice/clinic being closed down.

[Bathsheba]

Ah there you are, Mr XLA ! Thanks. There are no plastic covers over the light handles, so I must assume the nurse wipes them over between patients.

[MrXLA]

Hopefully she/he does, certainly should be
In most cases a dentist will try not to touch anything but sadly sometimes its necessary to move that light, thats why most are designed with cleansible handles.