The American Dental Association have created ADACares™, a public education program that dispels the myths about infection control procedures. And it all starts with a little heart-to-heart.

Gloves, gowns and masks are required to be worn in all dentist offices today, a far cry from just a few decades ago, when fewer than one-third of all dentists even wore such personal protective equipment, or PPE. After each patient visit, disposable PPE-such as gloves, drapes, needles, and scalpel blades-are thrown away, hands are washed, and a new pair of gloves used for the next patient.

All hand instruments used on patients are washed, disinfected and/or sterilized with chemicals or steam after each use. One of the most effective methods for preventing disease transmission-washing one’s hands-is practiced in All Dental Care. It is routine procedure to wash hands at the beginning of the day, before and after glove use, and after touching any surfaces that may have become contaminated. All surfaces in the treatment rooms are cleaned and disinfected after each patient.

Concerns about the quality of water used in a dentist’s office are unfounded, provided the dentist follows the infection control guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association.