Proper Instrument Sterilization Practices in Dentistry

Thousands of dental patients in Oklahoma waited anxiously for the results of tests for hepatitis and HIV after health officials revealed an oral surgeon operated his practice under unsanitary conditions. It has now been reported that 60 of his patients have been infected with HIV. This story is shocking and upsetting to dentists everywhere because contracting infections in dentistry is very rare and because dentists take the matter of infection control very seriously. Taking appropriate precautions is something that we do every day on every patient and they are second nature to us. Regardless of what procedures you are getting, your dentist should be treating every dental procedure as the most complicated surgery.

Here are some things you can look for the next time you visit the dentist:

•Check a dental office for overall cleanliness when you walk through the door.

•Make sure the dentist scrubs up with antibacterial soap and water. The dental assistants should do the same.

•The dentist should wear a new pair of gloves immediately after scrubbing.

•The dentist should open sealed packages of sterile instruments right before your eyes.

•Don’t be reluctant to check out the sterilization process for instruments. Sterilizing instruments is a multi-step process that begins with washing off debris after use, placing them in an ultrasonic cleaner, and finally wrapping and placing in an autoclave sterilizer.





Dr Rodney Andrus is a Prosthodontist (an ADA recognized specialist in all types of dentures and oral rehabilitation) and provides expert solutions to challenging dental problems at St George Center for Specialized Dentistry in St George, UT. For more information you can call his office at 435-674-3100.