In an age where cell phones are essential communication tools, it’s easy to overlook their potential hazards, especially in the dental office.
While cell phones may seem harmless, their presence in the dental office is a significant concern from an infection control perspective and can distract patients from dental care.
Personal electronic devices (PEDs), such as cell phones, are among the most contaminated items people use on a daily basis.
Studies have shown that the average cell phone carries more bacteria than a toilet seat, including harmful pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and even antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
One factor is that cell phones are often used in the bathroom, where people typically check text messages and browse content, which increases exposure to microbial contaminants.
All dental clinical areas should be kept sterile before and during patient care. In an oral surgical setting, where instruments cut and penetrate tissue, pathogens on cell phones pose a serious risk.
Gloves used during dental procedures can become contaminated when a practitioner touches a cell phone screen, violating infection control protocols. Imagine implant failure or even life-threatening infection due to negligent infection control procedures. Cell phones are rarely sterilized, making them a persistent reservoir of microorganisms.
In addition to the risk of infection, using or carrying a personal cell phone during patient care can lead to dangerous distractions. Surgery requires full concentration, carefulness, and prompt response to complications.
Text alerts, phone calls, or even the subconscious urge to check a message can be a temporary distraction and can affect patient care. This is a concern not only for the medical staff, but for the entire surgical team.
Even a brief lapse in concentration can lead to errors: incorrect instrument handling, missed steps in the surgical sequence, incorrect extraction, or incorrect response to changes in the patient’s medication and health history.
Dentistry is a patient-centered service. Patients trust their dental team to provide the highest standards of care and professionalism.
If a patient discovers a member of the dental team using a cell phone during treatment, this trust can be undermined. This can give the impression that the clinician is not fully engaged in the patient’s care and can be perceived by the patient as rude and negligent.
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