STERILIZATION

The primary responsibility of a Dental clinic is to create a safe and hygiene environment for the patients. There are chances of cross-infection in dental treatments if the equipment’s and devices are not sterilized properly. Dental associations such as American Dental Association (ADA) and other disease control organizations devised a protocol to prevent cross-infections among dental patients. Doctors and supervisors must ensure that thorough cleaning and sterilization of all type of instruments is necessary for each time they are used. There are three stages in maintaining the instruments hygiene. Which starts with basic cleaning, then disinfection of instruments with liquid disinfectants and last sterilization process which kills microbes, bacterial spores on the dental instruments. There are several Sterilization methods: Auto clave or steam sterilization, Dry heat sterilization and Cold/ Chemical vapour sterilization. Different types of instruments are used in Dentistry: Critical, Semi-critical and Non-Critical Instruments which needs to be sterilized rightly. Sterilization Indicators are used to ensure effective sterilization. The Indicators suggested by ADA are Biological Indicators and Chemical Indicators. Biological Indicators are used to examine the instruments sterilized under steam and chemical sterilization methods by using high resistant bacterial spores. Chemical indicators are heat sensitive indicators which are used in the form of tapes or strips to monitor sterilization.

Instrument Processing

  • We Follow manufacturer’s instructions for reprocessing (i.e., cleaning, packaging, disinfecting, sterilizing) reusable dental instruments and equipment.
  • We Use FDA-cleared devices and supplies for cleaning, packaging, and heat sterilization.

Instrument Processing Area

  • We Use a designated processing area to control quality and ensure safety.
  • We Divide processing area into work areas: – Receiving, decontamination, and cleaning. – Preparation and packaging. – Sterilization. – Storage. These Devices and instruments should flow from high contamination areas to clean and sterile areas.

Cleaning

  • Cleaning always occur before disinfection or sterilization. – Presence of soil can compromise the disinfection or sterilization process.
  • Either Automated or manual.
  • We Minimize exposure potential.
  • Carrying containers are used to transport contaminated instruments. Personal protective equipment (e.g., heavy duty utility gloves, mask, protective eyewear and clothing) are worn

Automated Cleaning we have :

  • Ultrasonic cleaner.
  • Instrument washer.
  • Washer-disinfector.

Preparation and Packaging

  • Wrap, package, or place instruments in containers before heat sterilization are done.
  • Instruments are thoroughly dry before they are packaged, wrapped, or otherwise contained.
  • We Follow manufacturer’s instructions. – For example: open hinged instruments, disassemble instruments if required, and ensure that packaging materials are compatible with the method of heat sterilization being used.
  • We Place a chemical indicator inside each package. – If the internal chemical indicator cannot be seen from the outside, place another indicator on the outside of the package.
  • Label the package with the following: – Sterilizer number. – Cycle or load number. – Date of sterilization. – Expiration date, if applicable.