Blogs

COVID-19: Implications for Returning to Practice

May 14, 2020
by Dr. Robert Carroll, Chief Dental Advisor

It now appears that dental offices will be allowed to open before Covid-19 is totally eliminated as a risk to patients and health care workers. Opening will be conditional on dental offices following all IPAC guidelines currently in place as well as potential new requirements.

A new reality will be the much higher likelihood that your practice may be subject to an inspection by public health. To understand why it is important to understand the circumstances that trigger inspections of dental offices.

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Key Components to a Comprehensive IPAC Plan: Are You Ready for a Public Health Inspection?

February 4, 2020
by Susan McGuire, Professional Consultant & Trainer, Certified WHMIS Trainer, CDA Level II, OSAP Member, AGD/PACE approved provider

Are you compliant with the current regulated IPAC protocols in your clinic?

By now, every dentist should be acutely aware that changes are necessary to traditional IPAC processes. All clinics must now follow the latest protocols created by the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) and the RCDSO Standards of Practice for Infection Prevention and Control.

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The New IPAC Reality in Quebec: Why Manual Compliance is No Longer Enough

Across Quebec, dental practices are under increasing pressure from the Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ) to demonstrate strict compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) standards. It is no longer enough to have protocols in place; clinics must provide verifiable proof that every standard is met consistently.

This shift is part of a broader national trend. For example, Public Health Ontario mandates detailed logs for every sterilization cycle including:

  • Sterilizer number, load number, and date
  • Printout of the cycle's physical parameters (time, temperature, pressure)
  • Description of load contents
  • Signature of the person responsible
  • Results from chemical and biological indicators

The High Risk of Manual Compliance

Meeting these stringent standards with manual paper-based systems poses serious risks:

  • Human error: missed or illegible entries can create compliance gaps
  • Inefficiency: valuable staff time is wasted on paperwork
  • Audit anxiety: gathering years of logs manually is stressful and error-prone
  • Lack of traceability: instrument tracking is nearly impossible in case of recalls

How SterilWize Comes to the Rescue

SterilWize transforms your IPAC process by automating compliance and ensuring peace of mind. Here’s how:

  • Automated Data Logging: Direct integration with sterilizers captures every data point automatically — eliminating errors and creating perfect digital logs.
  • Complete Instrument Traceability: A simple scan links instruments, loads, and patients for full traceability and recall readiness.
  • Digital Workflow and Reports: Automates the entire sterilization workflow and generates audit-ready reports with just a few clicks.
  • Boosted Efficiency and Staff Focus: Reduces admin burden so staff can focus on patient care.

Conclusion: Invest in Certainty

Quebec’s regulatory direction is clear: zero tolerance for documentation gaps. Manual processes are no longer sustainable. SterilWize is not just a digital tool — it's a strategic investment in safety, efficiency, and long-term compliance success.

Be prepared, be confident — lead with SterilWize.