Dentistry in the operating theatre

RE: Dentistry in the operating theatre

Lindsey Edwards — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 21:01:00 GMT

I have worked both ways and facilities/space have always been the deciding factor. When planning new clinic was adamant to have a prep (clipping + pre-op prep/non-sterile procedures such as abscesses etc and dentals) and sterile surgical room and am happier that way; anaesthetic can be moved, dental unit stays put in prep area. I am also reluctant to do any dental procedures on patients undergoing major surgery due to aerosol and bacteraemia concerns but have performed dual procedures due to cost/patient factors and not had major issues wither from shared space or combined procedures

RE: Dentistry in the operating theatre

KMurphy — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 13:53:37 GMT

Thanks for the replies. Of course, we always do our dental procedures following any "clean" ops. I was just a bit uncomfortable about using the theatre but if it's not condemned as terrible practice then maybe we will just start!

Thanks again :)

RE: Dentistry in the operating theatre

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 19:09:58 GMT

[quote user="KMurphy"]

Does anyone do their dental work in their operating theatre? I never have but it would make life much easier to do this. We wouldn't need to wheel dental machines and anaesthetic machines about the place.

My practice is very small and we don't have the space for a separate dental area.

What do others do?

Thanks,

Karen.

[/quote]

Use your operating room for your dentistry.

Do procedures requiring asepsis first and dental procedures last in the day.

Have a good cleaning protocol.

You'll be fine.

RE: Dentistry in the operating theatre

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:56:08 GMT

I only have one operating room with a fixed tub table and the dental machine plumbed into a water supply from a header tank situated next to it (and the X-ray table next to that)! We perform procedures in order of sterile requirements with dentals last. The fact that we have an almost 0% incidence of post operative wound infections tends to tell its own story!