Why is choosing a disinfectant so important?
In the dental space, effective disinfection is crucial for maintaining optimal hygiene and preventing the spread of infections. Dental professionals are regularly exposed to saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids, which makes the selection of the right disinfectant essential for eliminating harmful pathogens and creating a safer, more sterile environment.
Proper cleaning and disinfection not only fosters a hygienic workspace but also plays a vital role in infection control and promoting patient safety. A well-chosen disinfectant ensures that both patients and dental staff are protected from potential contamination and cross-infection risks.
Moreover, selecting a disinfectant that is compatible with dental equipment is key to preserving the longevity of instruments and maintaining the professional appearance of your dental practice. Compatibility ensures that your tools remain effective and your surfaces retain their quality, making the right disinfectant choice an investment in both safety and the lifespan of your dental equipment.
Compatibility & Standardization
Disinfectant compatibility is a more significant concern than many realize. Dental equipment represents a substantial investment, and selecting a disinfectant that is compatible with your tools helps protect that investment. To determine whether a disinfectant is safe for your equipment, always consult the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use (IFU).
Companies like PDI work closely with equipment manufacturers to test their products for medical device compatibility.
Additionally, PDI offers a compatibility database to help dentists and healthcare professionals verify the best disinfectant options.
Partnering with a dental disinfectant provider like SurgiMac can further streamline your selection of compatible products, ensuring your disinfection practices meet industry standards.
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EPA Registration, Efficacy, and PPE
In addition to compatibility, ensuring that a disinfectant is effective is essential. In the dental space, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant effective against bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) should be used. The EPA regulates disinfectants to ensure the pesticide meets specific standards before they can be used by the public.
Reading the product label of an EPA-registered product will let you know the specific microorganisms that is effective against and how long a surface must stay wet for the disinfectant to be effective against that microorganism. You may also hear this period referred to as a “contact time,” “wet time,” or “kill time.” Choosing a disinfectant with a contact/wet/kill time you can reasonably obtain is also an important consideration in your infection prevention strategy.
Some disinfectants require that you wear PPE while disinfecting, and the label of an EPA-registered disinfectant will provide you with this information as well. Although gloves and eye protection are not required by the labels of some products, you may choose to wear them as part of standard precautions. Disinfecting surfaces in a dental space may mean that you’re expecting to wipe up blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious materials, and wearing gloves will protect you from coming into contact with pathogens that may be on the surface.
All PDI disinfectant wipes available on SurgiMac are EPA-registered, ensuring you can maintain a high standard of infection control in your practice. Below is a handy guide to some top PDI disinfectant wipes you can easily access:
| Product Name | SKU | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Sani-Cloth | Q55172 | 6" x 6.5" Germicidal disposable wipe | Super Sani-Cloth |
| Super Sani-Cloth XL | P86984 | 8" x 14" Germicidal disposable wipe | Super Sani-Cloth X-Large |
| Sani-Cloth Plus | Q89072 | 6" x 6.75" Alcohol-based disinfectant wipe | Sani-Cloth Plus |
| Sani-Cloth Plus XL Wipes | Q85084 | 7.5" x 15" Extra-large alcohol-based disinfectant wipe | Sani-Cloth Plus X-Large |
| Sani-Cloth AF3 | P13872 | 6" x 6.75" Alcohol-free disinfectant wipe | Sani-Cloth AF3 |
| Sani-Cloth AF3 XL | P72584 | 7.5" x 15" Germicidal wipe, effective against TB and MRSA | Sani-Cloth AF3 X-Large |
| Sani-Cloth Bleach | P84172 | 6" x 5" Bleach-based disinfectant wipe | Sani-Cloth Bleach Disinfectant Wipes |
| Sani-Hands | P13472 | 6" x 7.5" Instant hand sanitizing wipe | Sani-Hands 135 Wipes |
| Sani-Hands (Soft Pack) | P71520 | 8.4" x 5.5" Large hand sanitizing wipe | Sani-Hands Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipe Soft Pack |
| Sani-Hands (Individual Packets) | D43600 | 5" x 8" Convenient hand sanitizing wipe | Sani-Hands Individual Packets |
| Sani-Hands (220 wipes) | P15984 | 6" x 7.5" Large canister of alcohol wipes | Sani-Hands Alcohol 220 Wipes |
| Easy Screen | P03672 | 6" x 9" Surface disinfectant wipe | Easy Screen |
| See Clear | D25431 | 6" x 5" Eye glass cleaning wipe | See Clear Eye Glass Cleaning Wipe |
| Device Swab Prevantics | B19600 | Medical device disinfecting swab | Device Swab Prevantics |
Choosing the right disinfectant can significantly impact the safety and efficiency of your dental practice. For more detailed product information and a wider selection of PDI products, visit SurgiMac’s PDI Disinfectant Collection.
