<p>Do you often leaf through a glossy magazine while awaiting your turn at a doctor's clinic? Beware! Experts have warned that magazines cluttered in the doctor's waiting room could do more harm than good by spreading germs.<br /><br /></p>.<p>They insist that magazines should be thrown out or recycled after just a week and not left out to be leafed through by patients for a very long time, the 'Daily Mail' reported.<br /><br />UK's National Health Service (NHS) has handed out a warning to a dentist in Lyme Regis, Dorset.<br /><br />The dentist was warned that ignoring it could lead to her failing an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.<br /><br />Experts from Dorset Primary Care Trust have warned that Blu-tack on posters in her waiting room posed a health risk if re-used.<br /><br />The Care Quality Commission stressed that waiting areas should be kept clear of clutter.<br />"There is no specific requirement for practices to remove magazines within a specified period," a commission spokesman said.<br /><br />"However, practice owners, as part of a regular cleaning schedule, should ensure that the magazines are in good condition and free from obvious contamination.<br /><br />"This advice will be kept under review and may be modified in the event of any future community infection outbreaks," the spokesman said.<br /><br />The General Dental Council said it was heavy-handed to wage war on magazines.<br /><br />"Providing magazines in waiting rooms for patients is a good way of helping them relax and can ease the concerns of anxious individuals," Dr John Milne, chairman of the organisation's general practice committee, said.<br /><br />He added that posters are used to give advice on oral health or provide information about the surgery and its services.<br /><br />Previously magazines were removed from some doctors' waiting rooms during the swine flu outbreak, the report said.</p>
<p>Do you often leaf through a glossy magazine while awaiting your turn at a doctor's clinic? Beware! Experts have warned that magazines cluttered in the doctor's waiting room could do more harm than good by spreading germs.<br /><br /></p>.<p>They insist that magazines should be thrown out or recycled after just a week and not left out to be leafed through by patients for a very long time, the 'Daily Mail' reported.<br /><br />UK's National Health Service (NHS) has handed out a warning to a dentist in Lyme Regis, Dorset.<br /><br />The dentist was warned that ignoring it could lead to her failing an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.<br /><br />Experts from Dorset Primary Care Trust have warned that Blu-tack on posters in her waiting room posed a health risk if re-used.<br /><br />The Care Quality Commission stressed that waiting areas should be kept clear of clutter.<br />"There is no specific requirement for practices to remove magazines within a specified period," a commission spokesman said.<br /><br />"However, practice owners, as part of a regular cleaning schedule, should ensure that the magazines are in good condition and free from obvious contamination.<br /><br />"This advice will be kept under review and may be modified in the event of any future community infection outbreaks," the spokesman said.<br /><br />The General Dental Council said it was heavy-handed to wage war on magazines.<br /><br />"Providing magazines in waiting rooms for patients is a good way of helping them relax and can ease the concerns of anxious individuals," Dr John Milne, chairman of the organisation's general practice committee, said.<br /><br />He added that posters are used to give advice on oral health or provide information about the surgery and its services.<br /><br />Previously magazines were removed from some doctors' waiting rooms during the swine flu outbreak, the report said.</p>