Why Us

Our dedicated team is progressive and enthusiastic in their approach to dentistry. Each member of the dentist, hygienist and nursing team attends regular courses and pursues further qualifications to enhance their dental knowledge.

Modern well-equipped surgeries help us to offer the latest techniques using high quality materials under stringent cross-infection control. Our aim is to protect and maintain your natural teeth through high quality dentistry, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis and highly proficient technical skills in a safe environment.

Our aim is to protect and maintain your natural teeth through high quality dentistry, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis and highly proficient technical skills in a safe environment.

Treating you - our patient, as we would wish ourselves and our families to be treated.

NERVOUS PATIENTS
We understand that people are reluctant to visit dentists either out of a fear of pain or needles or just general dental anxiety. Often these worries are dispelled when you talk the treatment through in detail with your dentist. For those who need extra assistance to face a visit to the dentist we offer sedation which involves either an injection in the arm or hand or in the form of a liquid which is taken orally helping the patient to relax.

If you are nervous about dental treatment then please do tell us. We understand why you would be. We are always willing to take the time to explain procedures to you in detail and go at your pace. We also offer video demonstrations of a procedure, which give you a clearer idea of what to expect, helping you feel calmer.

Sterilisation and Asepsis
Our Infection control procedure and about Instrument sterilisation
There is always a risk of contacting infection in ANY environment. The common cold is an everyday example.

At Carvalho's dental clinic you are assured that all precautions are being taken to protect you. Rest assured that your visits to the dentist are safe! Everything possible is done to protect you from infection. No one should avoid the dentist because of fear of infection.

Protecting you is a priority to us
Protecting you from infection is a priority to us, so we want you to understand the many ways we ensure your safety.

Universal precautions
Since there are many different diseases that are contagious (can be transmitted from one person to another), we assume that every encounter has the potential for infection. For that reason, we follow guidelines known as universal precautions.

Universal precaution means that we treat all patients as though they may be potentially infectious. This allows us to eliminate the possibility of passing a disease from one patient to another. Precautions are also taken to reduce the possibility of transmitting infection from a dental worker to a patient.

What specific steps are taken to control infection?
At Carvalho's we pay particular attention to general cleanliness, disinfection, sterilisation, and the use of protective clothing when needed.

We have a dedicated Central Sterilisation Room. It is designed to ensure zoning and elimination of cross infection. All sterile instruments are covered and housed in sterile bays. Similar zones exist in each surgery.

Surface disinfection
All surfaces that might possibly come into contact with infection-carrying materials are disinfected with approved chemicals between each patient.

Cleaning and sterilisation of instruments
Any instruments that are not disposable are cleaned thoroughly using the latest ULTRASONIC CLEANING BATHS after being disinfected.

A steam AUTOCLAVE is used to sterilize and conforms to the current strict guidelines. A regular annual maintenance and check ensures that our standards are maintained.

Selection of equipment that reduces the possibility of contamination
Modem equipment greatly reduces the possibility of contamination and infection.
Dental unit water systems are designed with special valves and certain disposable parts to ensure that the water supply for each patient is protected from disease-causing agents. Special coatings on dental units prevent bacterial colonies from forming. Automated internal disinfect ion systems are used daily to clean the systems. Parts are designed to be removable for disinfect ion.

For instance, the use of suction devices to drain fluids from the mouth greatly reduces splatter that would result from spitting excess water from the mouth. Sterilised suction tips also contribute to infection control.

Protecting the dental worker
Each individual dental care situation carries certain risks and the dental worker takes the recommended precautions for the specific situation.

For instance, dental workers wear gloves if they expect their hands to be exposed to saliva that may contain blood. In that way the worker is protected from ‘catching” a disease from a patient. The patient is also protected against diseases that might be transmitted to the patient from the worker’s hands.

Similarly if splashes or splatters are anticipated during dental care, the dental worker may wear a mask and eye protection goggles.

Handwashing
A long approved method of reducing the possibility of infection is simple hand washing. You’ll notice that all dental workers wash their hands between each patient encounter. We use the same chemicals used by surgeons in operating theatres.

In Summary
We protect you in many different ways including:
• Use of disposables, when possible
• Thorough cleaning and/or sterilisation of all instruments
• Surface disinfection of contaminated surfaces
• Selection of equipment designed to prevent contamination
• Care and maintenance of dental units
• Vaccination of dental workers
• Hand washing to reduce bacteria in folds and grooves of skin
• Gloves to prevent direct contamination as well as cross-infection
• Protective eyewear
• Approved disposal methods for contaminated waste
If you have questions about infection control at Carvalho's Dental Clinic, please ask us. We will be glad to answer your questions. We believe that an informed patient contributes to the care process.