Infection Control
Nothing ranks higher at Brammeier Family Dental than protecting your health and safety. Every patient who walks through our door deserves care in a setting that is genuinely clean, rigorously disinfected, and built around their wellbeing. To make certain every aspect of our office meets the highest standards of infection control, we follow and exceed all guidelines set forth by OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and the American Dental Association (ADA).
Because we believe our patients have the right to know exactly how we keep them safe, what follows lays out the specific protocols we have in place at Brammeier Family Dental.
Hand Hygiene
When it comes to preventing the spread of infection in a healthcare environment, proper hand hygiene is the single most effective measure there is. Every member of our clinical team washes thoroughly with antimicrobial soap and water (or uses an alcohol-based hand rub) before and after each patient contact, after removing gloves, and any time they make contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or materials. We follow the CDC's hand hygiene guidelines without exception.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
For every patient procedure, our clinical team puts on appropriate personal protective equipment. That means fresh gloves (changed and disposed of between each patient), protective eyewear or face shields that guard against aerosols and splatter, surgical masks or higher-rated respirators suited to the procedure type, and protective gowns or lab coats. In accordance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard guidelines, we choose PPE based on the level of exposure each specific procedure is expected to involve.
Sterilization and Disinfection of Patient-Care Items
We sort all reusable dental instruments into critical, semi-critical, and non-critical categories, then handle each accordingly. Critical instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone (forceps, scalpels, and burs among them) are heat-sterilized in a validated autoclave after every use. Semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes are sterilized or receive high-level disinfection, while non-critical surfaces and items are treated with intermediate- or low-level disinfectants. To ensure consistent, verifiable results, we regularly monitor sterilization cycles with biological indicators and chemical integrators. Sterile instruments stay packaged and sealed right up until the moment of use.
Dental Unit Waterline Safety
Left unmanaged, dental unit waterlines (the thin tubes that deliver water to handpieces, air/water syringes, and ultrasonic scalers) can harbor biofilm. That is why Brammeier Family Dental follows the ADA's recommended protocol for dental unit water quality. Independent water reservoirs paired with chemical treatment agents keep our water quality at or above the EPA's recommended drinking water standard of no more than 500 CFU/mL. In line with manufacturer and CDC recommendations, we flush the waterlines at the start of each day and between patients.
Regular Sanitation
Between every patient, we thoroughly disinfect all clinical operatories (the dental chair, light handles, countertops, bracket trays, curing lights, and any surface contacted during treatment) with an EPA-registered, intermediate-level disinfectant. Out in the reception areas, restrooms, and common spaces, high-touch surfaces are sanitized several times throughout the day. The disinfectants we use have demonstrated effectiveness against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including viruses and bacteria relevant to oral healthcare settings.
Air Purification
Since dental procedures can generate aerosols containing microorganisms, air quality is something we take seriously at Brammeier Family Dental. Every treatment room has its own individual HEPA air purification unit that continuously filters particulates and reduces airborne contaminants right at the point of care. Beyond that, rooftop Respicaire UV Air Purifiers use advanced plasma technology to neutralize airborne pathogens, mold, bacteria, and viruses throughout the entire HVAC system. This whole-building approach to air purification adds another layer of protection for patients and team members alike.
We never treat your safety as an afterthought. It is built into every step of our care.
The Commitment We Make to You
Choosing a dental provider is a decision built on trust, and we never lose sight of that. The entire team at Brammeier Family Dental takes immense pride in maintaining an environment that is clinically excellent and genuinely safe for every individual who walks through our doors: from young children to elderly patients, from routine cleanings to complex procedures.
Should you ever have questions about our infection control practices, or want to talk through any of these protocols in more detail, please don't hesitate to ask. We are happy to walk you through what we do and why. Thank you for trusting us with your care.