Dentist Doi's Talking Story

testimonials

Fall 1997 Edition - Dr. Doi's Talking Story

PATIENT SAFETY COMES FIRST

For many years, we have worked to exceed the "current" infection control guidelines of government and professional groups such as OSHA, the CDC and the American Dental Association. Repeatedly we have used infection control procedures ahead of recommendation by these and other national groups. By thinking ahead, we make sure your safety always comes first.

HERE'S WHAT WE DO FOR YOU:

We take a complete medical history on each patient and update it every visit. This way we can protect sick people from getting sicker and insure disease does not spread to others. Before we touch patients' mouths, we ask them to rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash.

Since graduating from dental school in 1976, Dr. Doi and his assistants have worn masks during all treatments. All personnel treating patients wear gloves and the gloves are disposed of after one use.

All staff and patients wear safety glasses/shields to avoid accidental transmission of disease through the eyes and to prevent foreign body penetration. All disposable items such as bibs, cotton products, saliva ejectors etc., are discarded after each patient. To safeguard ourselves and our clients, we vaccinate the staff against Hepatitis B.

Since we first opened our office, we have fully complied with OSHA regulations. (reusable dental instruments - mouth mirrors, drill burs, cleaning tools, etc.) Our office was a pioneer in high heat sterilization of dental "handpieces." Many years ago, we were questioned by the manufacturer because our handpieces broke so frequently. We concluded it was because due to our sterilization practices. A few years later, this manufacturer reported a marked increase in handpiece breakdown, a result of the much more widespread use of high-heat sterilization.

To ensure that the staff followed high heat sterilization and other hygienic procedures, we hired an independent infection control consultant, Dr. Mary Quinn to evaluate and train us.

Many years ago we were told by Adec (the largest manufacturer of "delivery systems, the machines that make the handpieces run) that we were the first office on the Big Island to guarantee cleaner water by using bottled water.

We completely disinfect each treatment room between patients. You will notice a lot of plastic covering in the operatory. Rather than spraying a lot of chemicals, we feel it is more effective to use barrier techniques.

We dispose of biomedical waste and contaminated sharp objects through approved biohazard methods to minimize the potential for human contact and adverse impacts on the environment.

DAM

Using the dam (a square piece of synthetic material) is effective when a dentist is concerned about exposing the patient to potentially harmful materials and prevents saliva from contaminating the tooth before the restoration is placed. The D A M eliminates the aspiration of small dental instruments and will prevent life threatening incidents & accidents.
Acts like a retracting device, giving the dental team a better view as well as keeping the tongue & cheeks out of harm's way. We love using the DAM.

AIR PURIFIER

The DentAir Vac, TM
Our triple filtering air purifier removes particulate matter and eliminates smells, gasses, viruses and bacteria. This is accomplished by using a triple filter system: first a pleated filter, followed by a HEPA filter and then a charcoal filter.

TESTIMONIALS

August 1997
Quinn Associates
Infection Control Analysis

"Dr. Doi's office was the first Big Island dental practice that I
had the opportunity to consult for in infection control. In working with his staff over the years, it is rewarding to see how important infection control is to them and how eager they are to learn, evaluate and implement procedures to keep their patients healthy and safe."

Dr. Mary Quinn

August 29,1997

Dear Patient:
Our dental laboratory, which specializes in crowns, bridges, veneers and implant fixtures, has worked with Dr. Doi since 1990 in providing his patients with high-quality dental prostheses.
Dr. Doi has always shown a great enthusiasm for learning the latest state-of-the-art dental techniques and using them if they are compatible with his philosophy of patient-friendly dentistry. For example, Dr. Doi is concerned about the bio-compatibility of dental materials, such as the various kinds of metal that are used for crowns and bridges. He has requested that we use alloys without certain metals and we have helped him find suppliers whose materials meet those specifications. Dr. Doi and our lab work as a team in providing aesthetically pleasing dental work, because everyone wants a pretty smile. By using camera equipment specially adapted for dentistry, we are able to communicate color, translucency and characterizations more effectively. The result - beautiful crowns.
We appreciate that all materials from Dr. Doi are sterilized for our protection and, in turn, finished prostheses are cleaned and sterilized before being returned to his office. It is stimulating working with Dr. Doi as he is always reading, researching, asking questions, and implementing new ideas to provide high quality work. I am happy to be a part of his team, as well as one of his patients.

Sincerely,
Kenneth Sanford,
Owner Kamuela Ceramic Studio

September 2,1997
David Doi, DDS

To whom it may concern:
It has been a pleasure working with David Doi in striving to deliver the best product possible. Here at our lab, we do crowns, dentures, partials and nightguards. As long as we have known Dr. Doi, he has striven to do high quality work and has demanded that we do the same. Many years ago he started asking us to place small loops on our crowns so that he could tie on dental floss. In case the crown slipped out of his hands in the patients mouth, the patient would not swallow or aspirate the crown. In the years I have been involved in dental laboratory work, I have never seen such an innovative request and concern for patient safety. Dr. Doi is constantly asking us to research new materials and over the years, the materials seem to be getting more sophisticated and less contaminated with materials of questionable bio-compatibility. There is no doubt that safety and patient well-being are foremost in Dr. Doi’s thought and efforts.

Sincerely,
Richard Davis Owner and Lab Technician
MD Dental Laboratory