2006-08-02 17:36:05 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
to be clear on the question, the lamp that i am talking about is the one over the exam chair. the lamp that shines into your mouth. there is almost always al. foil on the handles.
i see one answer that makes a lot of sense. i hope to get more answers. i dont think that it is hygene, because they dont change it every patient. and the way it is wadded on there appears to be for a reason.
2006-08-02 17:52:29 · update #1
hygene, and heat resistance.
2006-08-02 17:40:28 · answer #1 · answered by Roy W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Answers above are correct. Barriers can be anything that protects a surface from cross-contamination. If there are computers in the operatories, the keyboard and mouse should have a barrier.
Many dental offices buy little baggies that fit on the light handles. I've seen older offices where the lights are hot and so foil makes more sense than plastic. They are removed and replaced after each patient.
2006-08-02 18:10:11 · answer #2 · answered by emmalue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do this to prevent cross contamination . So when the Dentist or the asst touches the light they don't t get the last persons germs on their glove and then touch you with it. By OHSA they have to be changed after every person a long with the chair cover , the high and low speed drill , and ever counter surface wiped down
2006-08-02 17:49:54 · answer #3 · answered by Kit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may notice various kinds of "barriers," such as this foil or a plastic wrap on various surfaces. Proper techinique dictates that any barriers used ARE discarded after every patient. If not, why bother?
2006-08-02 17:47:50 · answer #4 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hygiene? The one my mom works at just has plastic on them. Because the dental person is going to adjust the lamp with thier gloves on so you don't want the last guys teeth germs getting into your mouth when they touch the lamp again...do you? =P
2006-08-02 17:40:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know I just noticed that, I am not sure if my dentist used foil or saran wrap but i saw there was something on there, I cant wait to get a real answer on this! i am glad you asked, I would have never thought of this!!
2006-08-02 17:41:05 · answer #6 · answered by carolg1974 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so they can change once in a while. they do not change it for every client. maybe once a month.
2006-08-02 17:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by sillygoose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋