The shocking discovery of blood-stained surgical tools at a Colorado hospital is a wake-up call for every dental practice, says infection control expert Mary Govoni, CDA, RDH.
When sterilization falls behind -- even briefly -- safety can break down fast, and dentistry faces the same risks, especially with short staffing, rushed schedules, and inconsistent infection control habits.
In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Govoni and I discuss how incidents like this happen and why dental teams must stay alert. We talk through common failures in instrument processing, gaps in personal protective equipment use, and how post-pandemic complacency has led to rising safety concerns in many practices.
Govoni explains the importance of proper onboarding, reliable training, and strong infection control routines, especially as respiratory illnesses surge and demands on clinical teams increase. She also addresses often-missed issues such as waterline testing and how dental assistants can identify red flags and advocate for safer practices.
