Dental Tribune UK Edition, September 13-19, 2010, Vol. 4 No. 21

19Infection Control TribuneSeptember 13-19, 2010United Kingdom Edition A s the new Department of Health guidelines for decontaminating dental instruments begin to take effect, uncertainty is rife across the in- dustry. It’s vital that the person responsible for ensuring com- pliance fully understands the new requirements, and in most practices this is more likely to be the senior nurse or practice manager than the dentist. What do the guidelines apply to? Fortunately, the guidance is straightforward, with the ‘Es- sential Quality Requirements’ stipulating the use of only vali- dated decontamination equip- ment followed by advice on how to achieve ‘Best Practice’ by us- ing the ideal layout for the de- contamination environment and the optimum methods of storing clean instruments. Only the Essential Qual- ity Requirements will apply im- mediately, but dentists need to think ahead as it is certain that Best Practice will eventually become the only acceptable standard. The new guidelines are not expected to advocate major changes in methodology (it’s unlikely that the concept of separate Local Decontamina- tion Units (LDUs) will be aban- doned), but their more stringent decontamination requirements will make investment in high- quality solutions advisable as soon as possible. Who needs to seek guidance? Even practices where proce- dures have been specifically de- signed to meet present require- ments should seek advice from a reputable provider of hospi- tal-standard decontamination solutions to ensure that their confidence is not misplaced. Several Primary Care Trusts have already noted that their practices are not meeting the Essential Quality Requirements – a clear indication of dangerous complacency. With leading infection control specialists offering compliance surveys, there is no excuse for any dental practice not to meet the new minimum standards. Volume is the principal factor, which determines a practice’s decontamination system. Back- logs can only be avoided with a sound policy, adequate and reli- able equipment and trained staff. How can YoYo help? Yoyo provides a comprehensive, turnkey service, which brings hospital standards of surgery hygiene and clinical decon- tamination to dental practices nationwide. The service com- prises a survey of the existing regime, a policy review and ul- timately installation of the latest technology, including full fitting of the LDU (extending to floor- ing and cabinetry). For smaller practices, a fully compliant LDU can be installed in an area only 1.6m x 2m. No practice can afford to compromise on decontamina- tion standards and an effective, Essential quality requirements Ken Turley, explains the implications of the new decontamination guidelines page 20DTà ‘Only the Essential Quality Require- ments will apply immediately, but dentists need to think ahead as it is certain that Best Practice will even- tually become the only ac- ceptable standard.’ This is an advertising feature NEW FROM GENDEX Imaging Excellence Since 1893 KaVo Dental Limited Raans Road, Amersham, Bucks HP6 6JL Tel. 01494 733000 - Fax 01494 431168 e-mail: sales@kavo.com - www.kavo.com GXS-700, because quality is more than a detail. • The highest quality images on the market (+20 lp/mm visible) • Optimized work-flow • The most comfortable sensor available • Seamless integration with All Practice Management Software • Sizes 1 and 2 sensors available 20/20 Vision See better with the GXS-700 Unbeatable Value from only £ 3,500 ex VAT