Abstract

Effective and efficient infection control in the dental office is essential for the safety of patients and to ensure that productivity does not suffer. Infection control programs all include the cleaning and sterilization of reusable dental instruments and devices. Care is taken by our professional staff to ensure that all instruments are cleaned prior to sterilization.  When using ultrasonic cleaners, washers and sterilizers, we always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  Assurance of sterility of instruments and devices is obtained through the use of indicators and these tests  are performed regularly to ensure that the sterilizer is sterilizing all instruments and devices and that these are safe for use on our valuable patients.

Introduction

Today’s busy dental practices face a serious challenge: to maintain or increase productivity while ensuring that our patient safety remains a top priority. we follow a cleaning and sterilization process that meets ADA and CDC guidelines

Transport of instruments to the sterilization area

Our dental offices have a designated area for instrument reprocessing that is separate from the dental treatment room. 

Some instruments and materials are single-use only.

Ultrasonic cleaning devices

An ultrasonic cleaner uses sound waves, that are outside the human hearing range to form oscillating bubbles, a process called cavitation. These bubbles act on debris to remove it from the instruments. Instrument examination and care

Cleaning instruments, provides a good opportunity to examine, replace or remove damaged instruments; lubricate items such as handpieces and otherwise prepare instruments for sterilization.  High-quality metal dental cassettes specially designed to withstand high temperatures are preferred for use with steam and chemical vapor sterilizers. 

Packaging

Packaging used for instruments and cassettes prior to sterilization includes wrap, paper pouches, plastic pouches, combination paper/plastic pouches and nylon tubing. Sterilization packaging is specifically designed to allow penetration of heat, steam or vapor and then to seal the sterilized instruments inside the package for sterile storage . After sterilization, instruments should remain in packages until use. Different materials are appropriate for different types of sterilizers.

Steam autoclave

we use steam autoclave, best in its class  fully automatc and digital.

Prevacuum autoclaves (also called Class B or Type B sterilizers) use a variety of technologies to remove air from the chamber before the steam enters, thus creating a vacuum. Most use a pulse vacuum to ensure elimination of air from the chamber. This is generally a more efficient means of pressurizing the chamber; . prevacuum sterilizers use a temperature of 132°C-135°C for 3-10 minutes to achieve sterilization.

Sterility assurance

Chemical indicators

We chemical indicators to indicate that the sterlization is properly done.