Cleaning Upper and Lower Dentures for ARC Testing

Equipment: Gloves, dentures in labeled denture cup, sink with running water, toothbrush, toothpaste, basin with liner (washcloth or paper towels), barrier

Procedure:

1.) Knock on door and listen for residents response.

2.) Wash hands before beginning procedure.

3.) Put on gloves before handling dentures.

4.) Before handling dentures, protect dentures from possible breakage (e.g., by lining sink/basin with paper towels/washcloth and by filling it with water).

5.) Place dentures in basin.

6.) Rinse denture cup and fill with cool water.

7.) Rinse dentures in cool running water before brushing them.

8.) Apply toothpaste or denture cleanser to toothbrush.

9.) Brush dentures on all surfaces.

10.) Rinse all surfaces of dentures under cool running water.

11.) Place dentures in clean denture cup with cool water (may use solution if desired); return denture cup to proper storage.

12.) Clean and return implements to proper storage.

13.) Maintain clean technique with placement of dentures and toothbrush throughout procedure.

14.) Dispose of sink liner in appropriate container and drain sink.

15.) After completing procedure, remove gloves without contaminating self and dispose of gloves appropriately.

16.) Wash hands.

17.) Report any changes in resident to nurse.  Document procedure according to facility guidelines.