Today I visited my local dentist for a check up and clean.

The dentist used a small cotton towel under my mouth as a bib to wipe up dribble and blood and from time to time to wipe clean the instruments used for cleaning and scaling my teeth.

When the process was finished and I was finally able to talk, I commented that in all my visits to a dentist I have never seen a cotton towel used before.

I then asked if the towel was disposed of after use.

To my horror, I was told that the towels are reused, but not to worry because....

1) they are washed in water at 60 celsius

2) they are not used on every patient only those with excessive blood dribble etc.

3) the towels have been used for many years without any problem

I then asked if the instruments were also sterilised in the autoclave at 60 celsius. The answer was don't be silly they are cleaned at over 120 celsius otherwise they would not be sterile.

My reponse was to ask if it was good practice to autoclave instruments at 120 celsius that were in and out of my bloody mouth and then periodically wipe them on a towel that had only been cleaned in water at only 60 celsius.

The dentist replied that the use of reusable towels might need to be reviewed.

Their associate (maybe the boss) replied was that this is not necessary.

Is there a problem here or am I just being paranoid?

Sanuk

Technically speaking, the towels should be done at 120 C also. most bacteria will due at 60 C but spores and such may survive.

If the instruments weren't being wiped on the towel it wouldn't matter since there is no need for a "bib" as such to be sterile.

A sterile gauze (of which I am sure they have plenty) would be a better choice for wiping instruments mid-use.

There are actually many medical malpractice in Thailand, and the Thai Public Health Organization couldnt care less. Believe it or not some of the dental clinics in Chinatown dont use autoclave but boil their dental instruments in the rice cooker. If you have a chance to go to Tha Pra Jan ( close to the grand palace) you will see full dentures being sold on the pavements by chino-Thai grandpas who claim to be dentists, but i think they are more like dental technicians. Thing is there are so many doctors with fancy credentials and qualificaitons, some even have american board in their fields of work. You just need to find them , as for myself i choose dental clinics or hospitals with reputation or from friends' recommendation. These are usually big and certified international clinics / hospitals with full range of services. I may need to pay a bit more for these places but i wouldnt mind when my health is at stake.