It is important to regularly disinfect the dental office tools and chairs because such materials are considered to be environmental surfaces. Environmental surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected after each patient interaction prior to the next patient’s entry into the dental treatment area.
The actual surface of the dental chair may become contaminated with dreaded viruses and bacteria during clinical treatments. The area under the headrest or rails may even collect these microbes causing cross-contamination with multiple patients. It is important to utilize an antimicrobial in the cleaning process of your dental chair.
It is not sufficient to simply wipe down the dental chair once or twice a day; frequent removal of body fluids is needed to keep the equipment clean and sanitary.
In addition to being a critical piece of patient care equipment, the dental chair also must be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner to avoid cross-contamination. The simplest way to avoid this is to disinfect this surface on a regular basis.
Underneath the chair is also a major water trap that can harbor bacteria. It is important that dental equipment be cleaned regularly so microbes and bacteria do not spread on surfaces of the chair or other devices.
How Do You Clean The Dental Chair – Complete Guide
Before beginning the cleaning process, it is necessary to prepare all of the items needed. It is also important to put on an apron and gloves before starting the task.
What You Will Need:
Clean cloths
Un-perfumed soap
Paper towels
A toothbrush or wipe down brush (or antimicrobial wipes)
Disinfectant spray/wipe (for surface only)
Isopropyl alcohol solution (for the headrest and backrest area)
Mouthwash (for chair arms, leg rest, and footrest areas)
Distilled water
Cotton swabs or cotton balls
What to Do:
1. Remove all of the items from the dental chair, including trays. Remove any arm supports and the headrest.
2. Empty out water from the water trap underneath the chair to avoid mildew build-up.
3. Clean every surface thoroughly with vinegar solution and a paper towel/cloth or use an antimicrobial wipe for non-porous surfaces. This includes the seat, back, headrest, arm supports, and footrest.
4. Remove all dried saliva from surfaces using cotton swabs or balls and baby oil.
5. Disinfect the chair by spraying the disinfectant on a paper towel/cloth and wiping down each surface, including all armrests and the headrest area.
6. Use a waterless cleansing agent for leather upholstery if applicable (recommended once per week). Use a toothbrush or wipe-down brush for nooks and crannies.
7. Rinse the chair with fresh water in all areas that have been disinfected. Dry each surface with a paper towel/cloth to avoid streaking. Clean armrests and headrest with isopropyl alcohol solution on cotton ball/cotton swab. Avoid using baby oil on leather upholstery as it can cause staining or leave a residue.
8. Rub down the chair with a lint-free cloth/towels (warm soapy water can be used if necessary). Ensure the headrest and armrests are completely dry before replacing items in the proper location.
9. Ensure chairs are stored in a cool, dry area.
10. It is necessary to clean and disinfect the dental chair on a regular basis. It is also helpful to check in with the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and replacing parts of the equipment periodically. If possible keep a log to record when the chair was last cleaned, what supplies were used and how often it is disinfected. This information can be helpful for any future maintenance.
What are the Main Reasons for the Maintenance and Thorough Cleaning of the Dental Chair
The main reasons for diligent maintenance and thorough cleaning of the dental chair are:
Health and Safety
Unhygienic design of the equipment, or poor cleaning habits, can cause bacteria to grow on surfaces. It is important that dental chairs and other devices are cleaned properly to ensure health safety for both patients and staff members. It is also important to disinfect the dental chair on a regular basis.
Preservation of Equipment
The dental equipment should be kept in good condition for as long as possible so that the treatment it provides is of optimal quality, and it can continue to perform well even with regular use. This is why you need to clean your dental chair regularly in order to maintain its lifespan.
The chair that is used daily needs to be disinfected and maintained on a regular basis to enable it to keep working well and provide optimal patient care.
A clean office is also vital in reflecting your business values and appearance, which directly affects your professionalism in the eyes of patients. A clean place also helps you attract more patients and build a solid reputation.
Compliance With Regulations
Viruses and bacteria can transmit diseases therefore it is crucial to prevent cross-contamination. The dental chair should be inspected regularly to ensure it is clean and ready for use in a health care setting
Unhygienic design of the equipment or lack of thorough cleaning can cause bacteria to grow on surfaces. It is very important that the furniture is cleaned appropriately so as to prevent contamination.
How do you maintain a dental chair?
Since the appearance of the dental chair is its first impression on patients, it should look and feel clean for each patient. This can be achieved by using antiseptic wipes and sprays on chairs weekly or bi-weekly depending on how many times the chair is used.
- It is necessary to wipe down all surfaces with an anti-bacterial spray or wipe. This includes the armrests, headrest, and footrest on the chair.
- It is important to clean stains on the upholstery as soon as possible before they become set in. Use a toothbrush to rub out any hard-to-reach places with toothpaste or mouthwash.
- Always be sure to rinse the chair with fresh water after cleaning and before moving on to disinfecting.
- Dental chairs should be stored in a clean, dry area away from moisture and sunlight. This will help avoid any mildew build-up or corrosion to the leather. If stored outside of a dental office, it is recommended to protect the chair from any rain/snow or other extreme weather conditions.
- It is necessary to clean dental chairs on a weekly basis to maintain their appearance and keep them sanitary for patients. It is also important to check in with the manufacturer for instructions as well as to clean/replace parts of the chair regularly. If possible, keep a log of when the chair was last cleaned, the supplies used, and how often the chair is disinfected. This information can be helpful for future maintenance of the equipment.
Final Thoughts
The article concludes that you have to clean and disinfect the dental chair on a regular basis, keeping a record of when it was cleaned. If possible keep a log to record when the equipment was last cleaned, what supplies were used and how often it is disinfected. This information can be helpful for any future maintenance. The headrest and arm supports should be wiped clean with an isopropyl alcohol solution on cotton swabs or balls. It is necessary to clean the equipment before disinfecting it. After disinfection, make sure that each surface is dried completely so as not to cause streaking. It is also helpful to check in with the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and replacing parts of the equipment periodically. If the leather upholstery on the seat is not wipeable, use a waterless cleansing agent for leather upholstery.
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