where can dental instruments be sterilized?

Answer 1

In a sterilization oven called an "autoclave" right there in the doctor's office.

Answer 2

Dental instruments are cleaned and sterilized at very high temperatures after each time they are used on a patient. Recommended sterilization methods include: an autoclave (steam under pressure), a dry heat oven, or chemical vapor (commonly called a chemiclave). The sterilization equipment usually is not in the treatment room, but if you'd like to see how and where it's done, ask the dental staff to show you.

Answer 3

you can buy a machine called an autoclave that can be put into the office.... this machine sterilizes your instruments. you can even sterilize your shoes as well. (this is for er and or rooms)

Answer 4

Proper sterilization is done in an autoclave in the dentist's office.

Answer 5

I am studying to be a dental assistant so I can answer that. They are sterilized in the dental office in the sterilization room.

Answer 6

Hopefully right there in the dental office.

Answer 7

If you are trying to sterilize them in the home you can just boil them, but they have to reach a certain temporature to be sterile, but I don't know how hot that is. See if the info below helps.



Instrument Sterilization Protocols

Following a patient treatment session, the following protocol for processing and sterilization shall be employed:

Remove all disposable "sharps" from contaminated work area (cart top and bracket table) after completing care, and place in the sharps container in the operatory.

Remove all disposable waste from the activity area and discard, taking care to properly dispose of materials designated as infectious, or regulated waste (any body fluid).

Pre-soak in ultrasonic solution, if needed, for dried-on body fluids.

All instruments must be cleaned prior to packaging for sterilization in an ultrasonic cleaner with the appropriate cleaning solution for at least 12 minutes. Handling of instruments during the cleaning should be done with heavy gauge utility gloves to minimize the risk of accidental injury. Even with utility gloves, never reach into a container, or ultrasonic containing reusable sharps. Instead, rinse the instruments, then invert the container onto an appropriately covered surface. The ultrasonic cleaner lid must be in place during the cleaning cycle. Instruments are to be rinsed with water following cleaning and spread on paper towels and allowed to dry.

Turnaround Time

Personal instruments and handpieces turned in at the following times will be ready 1 hour later:

8:00 AM, 12:00 Noon, or 4:00 PM


Handpieces should not be ultrasonically cleaned but must be externally cleaned with a brush or paper towel and detergent to remove external debris prior to sterilization. Handpieces should also be lubricated before and following sterilization to insure proper operation and to prevent premature failure.

Cleaning of School-owned instruments will follow the same protocol, except that instruments in cassettes will be cleaned ultrasonically by central sterilization staff.

Hand cleaning of instruments is to be avoided due to the possibility of injury and spatter.

Burs will be locked into the bur holder, cleaned ultrasonically for 12 minutes, then rinsed and allowed to dry.

Following drying of the instruments, they will be packaged in appropriate materials (read labels on packaging materials to determine suitability for specific sterilization process) and sterilized as noted in Table 2-2.

Table 2-2 Sterilization Guidelines

Steam Sterilization
Instrument kits and cassettes

Dental hand instruments
Dental handpieces
Other heat stable items not specifically noted
Dry Heat Sterilization

Carbon steel instruments other than specified
Burs in blocks
Instrument kits and cassettes
Dental hand instruments
Dental handpieces
Other heat stable items not specifically noted
Chemical Vapor Sterilization

Burs and bur holders
Instrument kits and cassettes
Dental hand instruments
Dental handpieces
Other heat stable items not specifically noted
2% Glutaraldehyde

Non-heat sterilizable items, such as rubber mixing bowls, will be cleaned and then sterilized by immersion in glutaraldehyde for at least 10 hours. Notations will be kept with each glutaraldehyde bath to insure immersion of items for full time period. Solutions will also be dated and mixed fresh per manufacturer's instructions. Items will then be rinsed, dried, and packaged for distribution.
Glasses

Protective glasses will be disinfected with a 10-minute soak in a 1:10 dilution of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite), then rinsed, dried, and packaged for distribution.
Handpieces

Heat sterilization of handpieces is mandatory between patients. The only exception to this is the use of disposable prophy angles on the slow speed handpiece. In this case, the handpiece must be covered with a tubing cover leaving only the disposable prophy angle exposed.
Debris on handpieces should be removed by scrubbing prior to packaging for heat sterilization.
Handpieces should not be cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners, nor should they be disinfected by immersion in glutaraldehyde solutions.


The following surface disinfectants are approved by the School for use in its clinics and laboratories:

Table 2-3 Surface Disinfectants

Surface Disinfectant
Shelf Life
Use Life
Reuse Life
Disinfection
Time
Sterilize Time
Mix
Ratio

Sodium Hypochlorite Indef 1 day 1 day 10 min N/A 1:10
Iodophor
10% Wescodyne
2 years 1 day 1 day 10 min N/A 3oz:5gal
2% Glutaraldhyde
Cidex Plus (3.2%)
2 years 28 days dirty 10 min 10 hrs 1 Act:1Bt
Banicide
Dated 30 day dirty 10 min 10 hrs 1:4
BIREXse Indef 1 week dirty 10 min N/A 1/8oz:1qt

Answer 8

in autoclaves