Sterilization Protocol

At Marc Hollander DDS & Associates, we’re proud of the rigorous precautions we take before, during, and after every single patient visit. Our office maintains the highest standards of cleanliness, following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA).

Check out our reviews and testimonials, where patient after patient expresses appreciation for our hygienic office and the way we make every visit a safe one. Below are our answers to some commonly asked questions about our sterilization procedures.

What sterilization techniques do you use on your dental instruments?

Our team is meticulous in our methods and monitoring, which comply with all American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines. We put every heat-tolerant instrument through a dental autoclave machine to fully sterilize them. This machine combines the following elements to completely kill all bacteria and viruses on every tool:

• Steam is released into a chamber containing the dental instruments in need of sterilizing.
• Pressure builds within the chamber as the steam is released.
• Heat at about 250 degrees Fahrenheit kills any microorganisms.
• Time ensures that any remaining spores are also killed, which happens after the 15-minute mark.

Anything that can’t go in the dental autoclave machine is disinfected through a high-level, FDA-cleared sterilant. Three- to six-hour immersions in disinfecting solutions kill harmful bacteria and viruses, which means that every instrument we use during your visit is sterile and safe.

We keep single-use dental instruments sealed in their packaging until usage to maintain sterility. And we dispose of any single-use items (like gauze, cotton, and irrigating syringes) after each patient visit.

We also use a special water filter that kills harmful bacteria through flash-vaporization and condensation. This filter removes other contaminants too, such as lead, copper, iron, PCBs, and many others.

What precautions do staff members take to maintain a sterile environment?

From our administrative staff in the front to our chair-side dentists and hygienists, every staff member is trained in infection prevention practices from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

All clinical staff wears personal protective equipment (PPE) including:

• mouth, nose, and eye protection during patient procedures
• disposable gloves on contact with patients
• protective clothing throughout the day

After every appointment, we wipe down all surfaces, including sinks, dental chairs, and computers, with a hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectant. After office hours and periodically throughout the day, our team also sterilizes countertops, door handles, floors, and walls with the appropriate chemical cleaners.

New staff members are extensively trained in hygienic protocol and sterilization procedures.

What other protocols do you have in place for maximum sterilization in the dental clinic?

Our practice has passed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on-site inspections with flying colors, exceeding standards for both hygiene and safety.

In addition to thoroughly disinfecting our treatment rooms, our daily cleaning crew maintains our waiting room, restrooms, and reception area to provide you with a clean, safe environment during all phases of your visit to our office.

We provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers throughout our suite and hospital-grade antimicrobial soap at every sink, encouraging frequent and thorough hand washing.

Whether you need a routine cleaning or a specific oral procedure, you can rely on Marc Hollander DDS & Associates to meet all your dental needs and keep you safe in the process. Call us to schedule your next appointment and see why we’ve been a trusted provider for years.