FAQ: How Do I Know My Dental Office Is Following Proper Sterilization Protocols?
It’s completely valid to wonder how clean and safe your dental office truly is — especially when you're trusting them with your health. At Atlantis Dental, we take your safety seriously, and we follow strict, multi-step sterilization procedures that go beyond industry standards.
Here’s how you can tell we’re doing it right:
Every Instrument Is Thoroughly Cleaned – Not Just Wiped Down
Our sterilization process includes:
- Manual scrubbing to remove visible debris
- Soaking in ultrasonic solution to break down microscopic particles
- A second rinse and drying
- Sealing into size-specific sterilization bags (to avoid bag breakage)
- Heat sterilization using one of our three autoclaves
Color-Changing Sterilization Indicators
We use specialized sterilization pouches that contain chemical color indicators. When the pouch goes through the autoclave, the color changes — proving that the instruments were exposed to the correct heat and pressure.
We Use 3 Autoclaves — for Reliability & Safety
Our office is equipped with three professional-grade autoclaves. If one ever needs servicing or fails a test, the others remain operational — ensuring no shortcuts are ever taken.
Weekly Spore Testing by a Third-Party Lab
Every Monday, we perform spore testing on all autoclaves. These tests are sent to a third-party lab to verify that each sterilizer is functioning perfectly.
The results are shared with every licensed provider on staff — including doctors, hygienists, and dental assistants.
We Open Sterile Instruments in Front of You
You’ll always see us open the sterilization bag in front of you, so you know those tools were prepared just for you. If you don’t see that happening at a dental office — ask why.
Room Disinfection Happens Every Time
When the receptionist says, “Your room is being prepped,” here’s what that means:
Our assistants are thoroughly wiping down the chair, handles, countertops, trays — everything — with medical-grade disinfectants between every patient. No shortcuts.
At Atlantis Dental, our patients deserve the highest level of cleanliness, safety, and peace of mind. We invite you to ask questions — and we’re always proud to show you exactly how we protect your health.
It’s completely valid to wonder how clean and safe your dental office truly is — especially when you're trusting them with your health. At Atlantis Dental, we take your safety seriously, and we follow strict, multi-step sterilization procedures that go beyond industry standards.
Here’s how you can tell we’re doing it right:
Every Instrument Is Thoroughly Cleaned – Not Just Wiped Down
Our sterilization process includes:
- Manual scrubbing to remove visible debris
- Soaking in ultrasonic solution to break down microscopic particles
- A second rinse and drying
- Sealing into size-specific sterilization bags (to avoid bag breakage)
- Heat sterilization using one of our three autoclaves
Color-Changing Sterilization Indicators
We use specialized sterilization pouches that contain chemical color indicators. When the pouch goes through the autoclave, the color changes — proving that the instruments were exposed to the correct heat and pressure.
We Use 3 Autoclaves — for Reliability & Safety
Our office is equipped with three professional-grade autoclaves. If one ever needs servicing or fails a test, the others remain operational — ensuring no shortcuts are ever taken.
Weekly Spore Testing by a Third-Party Lab
Every Monday, we perform spore testing on all autoclaves. These tests are sent to a third-party lab to verify that each sterilizer is functioning perfectly.
The results are shared with every licensed provider on staff — including doctors, hygienists, and dental assistants.
We Open Sterile Instruments in Front of You
You’ll always see us open the sterilization bag in front of you, so you know those tools were prepared just for you. If you don’t see that happening at a dental office — ask why.
Room Disinfection Happens Every Time
When the receptionist says, “Your room is being prepped,” here’s what that means:
Our assistants are thoroughly wiping down the chair, handles, countertops, trays — everything — with medical-grade disinfectants between every patient. No shortcuts.
At Atlantis Dental, our patients deserve the highest level of cleanliness, safety, and peace of mind. We invite you to ask questions — and we’re always proud to show you exactly how we protect your health.