Some quotes from "BDA advice sheet A12, Infection control in dentistry"
Decontamination of Instruments and Equipment
"All instruments contaminated with oral and other body fluids must be
throughly cleaned and sterilised after use. Instruments selected for a
treatment session but not used must be regarded as contaminated"
"A system approach to the decontamination of instruments after use will
ensure that dirty instruments are segregated from clean"
"Hand cleaning is the least efficient cleaning method. If this method is
used, however, the instruments should be fully immersed in a sink
pre-filled with warm water and detergent and a long-handled kitchen-type
brush to remove debris. Instruments should be washed under water with
the sharp end of the instrument held away from the body; extra care must
be taken when cleaning instruments that are sharp at both ends. Thick
waterproof household gloves must be worn to protect against accidental
injury and protective eyewear to shield against splashing. The brush
used to remove the debris from the instruments should be cleaned and
autoclaved at regular intervals; at the end of each session for example,
cleaned brushes should be stored dry"
"When using an ultrasonic cleaner the liquid in the cleaner should be
disposed of at the end of each clinical session and more often if it
appears heavily contaminated"
"At the end of each day, the ultrasonic cleaner must be emptied, cleaned
and left dry"
"Washer disinfectors designed for cleaning instruments are now available
and, if used, the manufacturers instructions should be followed. Washer
disinfectors are more efficient at pre-sterilisation cleaning than
ultrasonic cleaners and hand cleaning"
To obtain a full copy of the BDA advice sheet A12 please visit the BDA
web site at www.bda.org
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