What are the ways to sterilize and disinfect dental equipment?

Dental offices use a variety of methods to sterilize and disinfect. Dental instruments are cleaned and then sterilized between patients by methods that kill the AIDS virus and other microscopic organisms capable of causing diseases. Common acceptable sterilization methods include an autoclave that uses steam under pressure, dry heat in an oven-like environment and chemical vapor sterilization. Disinfection procedures are used on surfaces and equipment that cannot be removed for cleaning and sterilization, such as counter tops, drawer handles, X-ray unit heads and light handles. Disinfection is done in the treatment room between patients to assure that the room is clean for each patient. Our office uses all of these methods except the chemical vapor sterilization to ensure that our instruments are sterile for each patient. We also disinfect each operatory between patients so that germs will not be passed on.  more