Sterilization may not be the first thing that comes to a patient’s mind when choosing a dentist. Normally, it’s more about efficient treatment plans or cost-effective care methods. But, why not give a patient another reason to choose your practice? Like a focus on infection control and sterilization. Take a look at how five practices created peace of mind with effective and efficient sterilization areas.
Complete Cosmetic Care Dentistry
Glenpool, OK
Complete Cosmetic Care Dentistry offers its patients a state-of-the-art dental practice, with an environment focused on patient comfort and safety. Part of this focus is displayed in a well-designed and highly functional sterilization area, which is intentionally visible to patients through a full-size glass wall. Centrally located, the sterilization area is a walk-through style, providing the staff with easy entry and exit. This not only shows the dedication to patient health, but the organization for efficient visits. Additionally, a water filtration system has been implemented throughout the office that reduces the chance of water-borne contaminants, one more example of their focus on integrated patient safety.
Midwestern University Dental Institute
Chicago, IL
Maintaining a focus on education, this amazing teaching facility takes advantage of the opportunity to provide oral health care to local-area patients. Everything about the Institute is high-tech. This is true of the ultra-modern sterilization area. Midwestern’s students will be ready upon graduation, as it’s equipped with a number of different products for various situations while teaching the correct protocol for infection control, and how to be OSHA compliant. The facility has both chamber and cassette-based autoclaves, which provides infection control, as well as disinfection equipment. Ultrasonic cleaners are also used for cleaning systems and supplies.
Alaska Dental Care
Anchorage, AK
When thinking of the unique beauty of Alaska, look no further than Alaska Dental Care. The design of this new practice took all of the characteristics you would expect into account, including the look of its sterilization area. The location is directly alongside treatment rooms, making it convenient and efficient for the dental staff, and the layout maintains a logical workflow, so that even as the practice grows, it will function efficiently. The sterilization room is also a walk-through style, in order to eliminate bottle necks. Even the equipment used for sterilization is known for its streamlined layout that encourages easy, safe, and time-saving processes.
Sullivan Dental Center
St. Francisville, LA
It’s hard to believe that Sullivan Dental Center began in a trailer, but the practice has grown over the years into a 6,700 square foot tight-tech facility with integrated technology. Even with the tight space the team’s original office contained one sterilization center. Growth forced Dr. Sullivan to expand again, and a second sterilization center that features a new instrument management system, designed for infection control and efficiency, was added. Located in the corner of the office, the flow of the sterilization area is left-to-right, with lights in the cabinetry to aid in telling whether or not the instruments are sterile. In addition, a new cassette system holds instruments for each patient, takes care of cleaning, sterilization, storage, and organization.
Smiling Seal Pediatric Dentistry 
Valencia, CA
Smiling Seal Pediatric Dentistry has not overlooked anything when it comes to their patients’ experience and providing a fun time. Even with all this fun, however, there’s tons of technology behind every patient visit. The sterilization room is designed for efficiency and high-volume traffic. Its galley style works well to move the staff and instruments through the room. This is just one of the ways the practice is committed to maintaining high standards of infection control. The practice uses a specialized water system in the sterilization room and throughout the office. The system provides the two grades of water needed by dental practices: autoclave-ready, distilled ready, and bottle ready, reverse osmosis water.