Each year over 250,000 Canadians receive life-threatening infections while in a healthcare facility. As many as 12,000 people a year die from these infections (SOURCE: CBC News, 2012). In 2014, a Canadian survey showed that 40% of infection control practitioners were not confident that healthcare facilities were suitable for infection control needs (SOURCE: Dr. Zoutman of Queens University). Furthermore, it was found that only 34% of near-patient surfaces are cleaned in accordance with standards and policies put out by health care experts. These shocking statistics prove that improperly cleaned healthcare facilities are still a reality, and a clear solution is needed.

Maintaining a clean and disinfected dental office is essential to ensuring your patient’s health and safety upon every visit. As a dentist, you rely on the cleanliness of your clinic to protect both your staff and patients from harmful germs and bacteria on a day-to-day basis. Although general janitorial usually offers sufficient cleaning for non-medical facilities, a dental office requires frequent and thorough sanitization to maintain the industry standard. To reduce the large risks associated with improper medical office cleaning, you want professional cleaners you can rely on.

When ineffectively disinfected, dental offices are filled with potentially dangerous viruses, bacteria, and infectious diseases. Some of the highest-risk places that germs are found in dental offices are (SOURCES: Prevention.com/Fox News/CDC.gov):

• Office keyboard & mice
• Patient magazines
• Overhead lights and televisions
• Counter tops and drawers
• Door knobs
• Check-in pens

Although some of these objects are not directly touched by patients or staff, many germs go airborne during dental procedures and attach themselves to these hard-to-reach areas (SOURCE: WhipMix.com). Some of the most threatening germs that can be found in a contaminated dental office are these concerning viruses (SOURCE: Gillian M. McCarthy, BDS, M.Sc.):

• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C
• Influenza A and B
• HSV Types 1 and 2
• EBV
• Adenovirus

More commonly-found germs that are present in an inefficiently sanitized dental office are harmful bacteria that can potentially survive for months on inanimate objects. These bacteria include: Enterococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes (SOURCE: US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 2006).

Although the possibility of transmitting these germs to your staff and patients may be the worst aftermath of improper cleaning of your dental office, there are more negatives to be weary of. A dental office’s reputation is extremely important, and if a clinic fails to deliver a positive first impression to a patient, there is a high chance they may never come back. First impressions are monumental in retaining new clients, and one of the most apparent first impressions upon walking into a dental office is the level of cleanliness observed upon walking in the door. Nothing is more displeasing than witnessing a dirty floor, un-tidy magazines, and a foul odor as you walk into a dental office.

With so many risks and dangers associated with improper cleaning of a dental office, it is best to hire professional medical cleaners that follow strict procedures to ensure thorough cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection of your clinic. At ICS (Innovative Cleaning Solutions), we want to maximize your dental office’s potential by providing you with the best customized service possible.

Our goal has always been to provide the highest cleaning standard for healthcare providers in British Columbia, while simultaneously utilizing environmentally friendly cleaning products that do not harm our planet. We understand that every dental office is different, which is why we develop a custom Cleaning Maintenance Plan that is based on the specific needs of our customers. Our expansive cleaning and sanitation services include:

• Surfaces and furniture
• Deodorization
• High-touch (near patient) points
• Carpet care
• Floors
• Re-stocking supplies
• Bathroom disinfection
• Garbage removal
• Windows and interior glass
• Wall fixtures

We ensure that all the cleaning products we use are 100% biodegradable, non-toxic, and Green Seal certified. In our efforts to conserve water, we also use only 9 litres of water no matter how large a facility may be. We clean for the health of your staff, patients, and our planet.

We follow a strict process “Cleaning for Health” methodology that utilizes a 3-step system to ensure your facility is left disinfected and ready for use. Our process includes a detailed inspection, a verification process, and finally a resolution that assures the full sanitation of your dental clinic. Our 3-step process is as follows:

We take pride in our system and are confident you will be left with a result that you, your staff, and your patient’s can smile about.

We believe that as a dentist, you should have peace of mind in knowing your dental clinic is as sparkling-clean as your patient’s smiles.