Sterilization Protocol

We meet the stringent regulations laid down by the International health authorities regarding cross infection and sterilization control. All our staff use disposable Nitrile gloves and face masks.

This involves thorough cleaning and sterilization of all types of dental instruments, each time they are used on a patient. Before we move on to how cross-infection control is ensured in dental practice, we will familiarize you with some common terminology:

• Cleaning – cleaning is an essential process which is performed before sterilization or disinfection of dental instruments. This involves cleaning all surfaces of dental instruments to remove blood, microbes, and debris, and to prepare instruments for sterilization or disinfection. Cleaning of instruments is usually performed with water and / or detergents.

• Disinfection – disinfection is a process in which all microbes are removed, except bacterial spores. Disinfection of dental instruments is usually performed with liquid disinfectants. 

• Sterilization – Sterilization is a process, which if performed properly, kills all microbes, including bacterial spores, present on the surface of dental instruments.

Sterilization or disinfection of dental instruments is only effective, if it is performed properly. Keeping that in mind, we have follow the below mentioned procedure

• Designate a Separate Instrument Washing Area – contaminated dental instruments are cleaned of blood and debris before sterilization. Care is taken to immerse the instruments into water or detergent immediately after use, to prevent drying of blood and debris. Our staff wears heavy gloves while washing instruments, to prevent accidental injury and cross-infection. The washed instruments are then immersed in a chemical solution for 30mins. An ultrasonic machine is further used for improved cleaning.  – pic ultrasonic cleaner
• Packaging and Storage of Instruments – instruments that are to be used in a specific procedure, are placed in special packages / pouches before sterilization to minimize chances of contamination of the instruments during storage and transport, once they have been sterilized. Alternatively, sterilization cassettes are also be used to sterilize a set of instruments that are required during a specific dental procedure.

We use a B Class Autoclave to sterilize all our instruments. Instruments once sterilized are neatly stacked in the slots designated for each of them, to be picked up at the time of appropriate procedure. Thus following the stringent conditions laid down by the European Union Commission. ( New European Standard EN 13060).