Something to smile about. Getting dental refrigeration right.
You might also store antibiotics and medical creams on site.
But are you meeting industry standards for storing these temperature-sensitive ‘cold chain’ products? And is your fridge fit for purpose?
Get to grips with the guidance
The requirements for storing cold chain medical products and botulinum toxins are set out by the CQC and aesthetic industry bodies, including the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), respectively. Both are in line with the NHS Green Book guidance for vaccine storage.
The General Dental Council requires members to comply with this guidance.
The golden rule
Temperature sensitive medicines and botulinum toxins must be stored in an approved medical fridge – this should apply even if you only keep small amounts at your practice.
Why? A domestic fridge cannot provide the stable, optimum temperature range of +2ºC to +8ºC required to ensure temperature-sensitive medicines and toxins work effectively.
It also lacks the in-built technology that helps your dental team complete the daily temperature checks required by the guidance.
Your responsibilities
The guidance states that a dedicated member of the dental practice team must:
Check the fridge temperature at the same time at least once a day
Record the minimum, maximum and current temperature readings
Reset the temperature after each recording
Take immediate action if the fridge temperature falls outside the optimum +2ºC to +8ºC range, in line with an agreed practice protocol
A medical fridge such as the Lec Medical Pharmacy Plus range can help ensure you comply with the storage guidance with minimum hassle and maximum safety and security.
Here’s how.
Bluetooth enabled contactless temperature monitoring makes temperature monitoring quick, easy - and more accurate
Data can be downloaded directly to a phone or laptop and accessed by authorised staff via the Lec Med app
An intelligent fan system keeps temperatures stable at all times
A power failure alarm offers added safety and 48-hour battery back-up protects your data if there’s a power cut
Manual or digital locks mean only authorised staff can access fridge contents
Finding the right medical fridge
Pharmacy Plus fridges come in a wide range of models and sizes, starting from a compact 47 litre capacity, so whatever your storage needs and budget, we can provide the product that’s right for you.
You can browse the entire Pharmacy Plus range here. Or you can chat to one of our expert sales team on 0344 815 3742 or email us at Lec@GDHA.com
