Protecting Patients, Perfecting Protocols

Infection control is a cornerstone of patient and staff safety in any dental practice. While often taken for granted, proper sterilization protocols are essential to preventing cross-contamination and ensuring a safe treatment environment.

At Embrace Orthodontics, a multi-location practice north of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, the team prioritizes infection control with the Patterson Biological Monitoring System from Patterson Dental. These test kits provide peace of mind by ensuring sterilization equipment functions effectively.

“At Embrace Orthodontics, maintaining proper and accurate infection control protocols is essential to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both patients and staff. At our practice, we rely on Patterson solutions to uphold the highest standards of infection control, including the use of spore test strips to monitor the effectiveness of our sterilization processes,” said orthodontist Katherine Darling, DDS, MS.

Why Biological Monitoring Matters

Leading health organizations—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Association for Dental Safety (ADS)—recommend weekly biological monitoring of all heat sterilizers.

The Patterson Biological Monitoring System uses bacterial spore test strips to verify the effectiveness of steam, dry heat, chemical vapor, and ethylene oxide gas sterilization. These strips provide a reliable way to assess not only the mechanical function of sterilizers but also the operator’s technique—ensuring proper execution of infection control protocols.

By incorporating these test kits into their routine sterilization protocol, Dr. Darling and her team confidently deliver the safest care possible while maintaining a secure environment for both patients and staff.

“These test strips provide confidence by offering an effective means to biologically monitor both the mechanical function of our steam and dry heat sterilizers and the technique of our operators,” Dr. Darling said. “By regularly using spore tests, we are able to confirm that sterilization procedures are consistently effective, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring that our equipment remains safe and reliable. This level of diligence in infection control is a cornerstone of our commitment to providing the best care to our patients in a safe, sterile environment.”

A Commitment to Excellence

Embrace Orthodontics operates across 3 locations in Minnesota and is led by a team of 3 board-certified orthodontists. Their unwavering dedication to patient safety is reflected in their adoption of high-quality infection control measures.

The Biological Monitoring System is designed for use in Class B pre-vac sterilizers, such as the Mocom B Classic and B Futura. Manufactured in the USA, this system offers a 9% cost savings compared to comparable branded products, making it an affordable and effective solution for practices committed to best-in-class sterilization.

“We are dedicated to be providing the highest standard of care, driven by our core values of a high-quality patient experience, professional excellence, integrity, teamwork, and dependability, ensuring that every patient receives exceptional treatment in a supportive and reliable environment,” Dr. Darling said.

With its proactive approach to sterilization monitoring, Embrace Orthodontics sets a gold standard for infection control in orthodontic care—reinforcing patient trust and delivering peace of mind with every visit.