Guest author: Renee Arthur, Prime Practice

Most dental practices don't set out to cut corners on infection prevention and control (IPC). But when appointment books are full, phones are ringing and sterilisation is piling up, even good systems can come under pressure.

That's often when small shortcuts start to creep in. Documentation falls behind, processes become inconsistent and tasks that once felt routine begin to slip.

For many practices, these issues only come to light when an audit is scheduled, accreditation preparation begins, a concern is raised, or a checklist highlights what has not been happening consistently. But IPC isn't something that should only come into focus when compliance is being reviewed.

Of course, audits, reviews and checklists matter. They provide structure, accountability and evidence. But completing a checklist does not, on its own, guarantee a strong IPC culture.

With ongoing regulatory expectations and patient awareness, IPC remains a critical focus for every dental practice. The strongest practices do not wait for audits, concerns or checklists to reveal issues, they embed safe habits into everyday operations.

What does a strong infection prevention and control culture look like?

IPC culture in a dental practice means safe and compliant behaviours are embedded into everyday routines, team expectations and leadership habits, not just treated as a task completed only for audits or accreditation.

It is the difference between “we follow the checklist” and “this is how our team protects patients, colleagues and the practice every day.”

Leadership is one of the strongest signals of IPC culture. When practice leaders make IPC a regular agenda item, model the behaviours they expect, provide the right resources, and respond constructively when concerns are raised, they show the team that compliance is not optional or occasional. It is part of the practice’s professional identity.

So, how can practice leaders embed IPC into their culture? Here are five actions that can help.

1. Set the tone from the top

Leaders set the tone through what they do, not just what they say.

Model the behaviour you expect. IPC is non-hierarchical – germs do not care who you are! Practice owners, dentists, hygienists and senior staff need to follow the same protocols as everyone else. Culture weakens quickly if leaders take shortcuts.

Put IPC on every team meeting agenda. Even a five-minute standing item shows the team that infection prevention and control is part of normal business, not just an occasional topic.

Make roles and responsibilities clear. Appoint an IPC coordinator to lead the process and ensure every team member knows their role in maintaining IPC. This includes clinicians, dental assistants, front office staff, sterilisation staff and managers.

2. Make compliance easy to do well

Leaders and owners are responsible for the conditions that support compliance: enough time, clear workflows, accessible stock, working equipment, current procedures and practical training. If the system makes IPC difficult, people will eventually work around it.

Provide the right resources. If people are rushed, undertrained or missing the supplies they need, compliance becomes harder. Leaders need to make sure the team has the equipment, products, time and guidance required to follow IPC protocols properly.

Explain the why. When teams understand ‘why’ certain protocols matter, not just ‘how’ to complete them, they are more likely to stay compliant, especially under pressure. For example, team members need to understand why instruments with remaining debris, such as composite, cannot be considered properly processed, or why poor hand hygiene creates risk for patients and staff. If you are unsure of the ‘why,’ seek expert advice or training.

Review workflows, not just people. When something is missed, avoid jumping straight to blame. Instead, look at the workflow. What part of the system may be breaking down? Is there a lack of time, unclear responsibility, poor room setup, or confusion about the correct process?

3. Make it safe to speak up

Team members should feel safe to raise concerns, near misses, unclear steps or barriers without blame. This is a key part of shifting from checklist compliance to genuine culture.

Respond to concerns without blame. If someone raises an IPC issue, leaders should treat it as an opportunity to improve, not as a personal failure.

Encourage questions and near-miss reporting. People should feel comfortable saying, “I’m not sure,” “This process isn’t working,” or “We may have missed a step.” These conversations help identify risks before they become bigger problems.

4. Use checklists as leadership tools, not just compliance tools

Checklists help teams complete and document routine IPC tasks but they do not guarantee a compliant IPC culture.

Use checklists to prompt conversations. A checklist can open up useful questions: Is this process actually happening every day? Is it understood by the whole team? Are there barriers making it difficult to follow?

Share audit findings constructively. Talk about what was found, what it means, and what needs to change. Ensure there are clear responsibilities and due dates for any actions that need to be implemented.

Focus on improvement, not perfection. Compliance is a constant cycle of planning, doing, checking and acting. The goal is not to catch people out. It is to build safer, more consistent and compliant habits.

5. Keep improving through training and review

A strong IPC culture is not static. It needs regular training, review and reinforcement to stay current and effective.

Invest in formal training and audits. Regular formal training, at least annually, ensures your practice stays up to date with current standards and guidelines. When the whole team trains together, everyone hears the same information at the same time, which supports consistency and alignment. An audit by an external party can also provide a fresh set of eyes and help identify areas of non-compliance that may have become normalised over time.

Use short, regular refreshers. In addition to formal training, internal monthly refreshers or IPC focus areas can help keep compliance front of mind. Pick a focus area each month, with the team completing a short online refresher and reviewing any practical barriers or areas for improvement. For example, one month could focus on hand hygiene, next month could focus on treatment room changeovers, followed by sterilisation processes, documentation or environmental cleaning.

Celebrate wins. It is important that the team can reflect on what is working well, not just what needs to improve. Celebrate successes such as good audit results, improved processes, strong teamwork, or someone speaking up about a risk.

Keep reviewing and adapting. A strong IPC culture evolves as the team, standards, equipment and workflows change. Regular review helps ensure that IPC remains practical, current and embedded in everyday practice.

Infection prevention and control isn't just about passing an audit or completing a checklist. It's about creating confidence for your patients, your team and your practice every day.

Not sure where to start?

Whether you're preparing for accreditation, reviewing your current processes or looking to strengthen team compliance, Prime Practice can help you identify opportunities for improvement and build a stronger IPC culture. Click here to get in touch with Renee and the Prime Practice team.

Guest author Renee Arthur from Prime Practice works closely with dental practices across Australia to help teams build strong systems, improve compliance and create sustainable practice cultures.

DISCLAIMER: The Grow Community is operated by Grow Management Pty Ltd ABN [55617707212] (“Grow”), a subsidiary of the Credabl Group. Neither Grow nor Credabl accept any responsibility or liability for goods or services supplied by Grow Community network partners. The information provided is general in nature and we have not taken into account your personal objectives or financial circumstances or needs when preparing it. Before acting on this information you should consider if it is suitable for your personal circumstances. Please seek your own independent legal, financial, tax or other advice before deciding to use any goods or services supplied by a Grow Community network partner.