Cross Infection Control
As much of an issue in dentistry as in general clinical practice.
The British Dental Association has issued an advice sheet http://www.bda.org/advice/docs/A12.pdf covering infection control in dentistry which makes the point succinctly:
"All dentists have a duty of care to their patients to ensure adequate infection control procedures are followed.
‘Failure to employ adequate methods of cross-infection control would almost certainly render a dentist liable to a charge of serious professional misconduct.’"
Sensors
The sensors provided for use with the CarieScan PRO™ are single use disposables. As well as ensuring a unique calibration for each sensor this ensures no risk of cross contamination from sensors exists. We are often asked if the sensors can be sterilised or disinfected to enable reuse. The simple answer is no. All sterilising/disinfection processes will damage the sensors both in terms of performance and, potentially dimensionally. Reuse is a risk that is simply not worth taking.
CarieScan PRO™
Cross infection concerns extend beyond the sensor, while the PRO and cable can be disinfected with alcohol based disinfectants many dentists will wish to use a protective shield while using the PRO. For such additional protection CarieScan recommend a disposable plastic cover which provides an additional barrier against cross contamination. A suitable example is the Pinnacle Syringe Sleeve with Opening: reorder code: KERPE 3767-WO (quantity 500). Available from: http://www.wright-cottrell.com/ or in cases of difficulty directly from CarieScan Ltd.
