Cleaning and Sterilization of Dental Instruments

Every healthcare practitioner bears the responsibility of maintaining and ensuring the sterility of medical instruments employed in patient care. The field of dentistry is no exception, as both the dentist and the dental team are responsible for infection control. Past case studies have highlighted the potential transmission of disease from dental instruments to patients, demonstrating the importance of thoroughly cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments. This chapter will explain fundamental definitions associated with cleaning and sterilization of dental instruments. It will define the classifications of dental instruments and their requirements for sterilization. Then, it will describe the six essential steps for cleaning and disinfecting dental instruments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and other organizations with specialization in this area. Then, the importance of indicators to maintain quality assurance will be discussed. Lastly, protocols for managing breaches in infection control will be explained.