Dental Office Cleaning Checklist
A dental office administrator's duties include keeping the practice running smoothly and making sure industry sanitization standards are consistently met. While patient and staff safety is your number one priority, you also want the space to appear safe and welcoming for patients. A clean, organized environment makes the best first impression and helps improve retention rates.
In a highly competitive market, pleasing your patients is more important than ever. Surely you try to keep your dental practice as safe and tidy as possible, but have you ever wondered if your cleaning regimen could be more effective than it is now?
Dental Office Cleaning Checklist
Take your clean to the next level. Use this simple checklist to cover five top cleaning priorities for dental offices.
1. Regularly Disinfect High-Touch Areas
Cleaning is the necessary first step in any disinfection protocol. First, remove and properly dispose of any visible debris. Then, thoroughly wipe down the entire patient treatment area with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
Don't overlook the details. Check that you disinfect each of these frequently touched items:
- Patient chairs, arm rests and head rests
- X-ray equipment
- Drawer handles
- Cabinet and door knobs
- Faucets and sinks
2. Maintain Bathroom Cleanliness
The state of your restroom deeply reflects your office's attitude towards cleanliness and patient care. Keep the restroom fully stocked and in good operating condition. There should always be toilet paper, soap and paper towels available, and additional hygiene supplies or amenities can leave an even better impression. Make restroom checks a regular part of your maintenance routine, and address any plumbing issues immediately.
3. Dust All Surfaces
In addition to being unpleasant to look at, dust can aggravate respiratory conditions and may even carry nasty germs or bacteria that can contribute to the spread of illness. Regularly dusting all of your hard surfaces is a quick and easy way to keep your office feeling fresh while eliminating unwanted microbes from the air and environment.
4. Keep Reception Area Organized
Clear out clutter in your reception area to create a positive first impression on patients as they walk through your door. Your waiting area should be a welcoming, relaxing environment that feels clean from the moment someone steps inside. Keep your furniture maintained, files stored away, and any magazines or entertainment materials neatly displayed. A clean, uncluttered environment shows patients you care about their comfort and are focused on delivering the best care possible.
5. Align Your Disinfection Procedures With Industry Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clearly define industry standards and proper dental facility maintenance procedures. Their research-based recommendations are intended to ensure patient and practitioner safety by reducing the risk of health-associated infections and cross-contamination.
Implement these cleaning and disinfecting best practices for an improved patient experience and office appearance. For more peace of mind, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to get the job done. The experienced professionals at ServiceMaster Clean follow industry standards and best practices to deliver a clean that you and your patients can trust, on a schedule that works for you.
