“ASSESSMENT ON THE PREVAILING PRACTICES ACCORDING TO DURATION

AND METHOD OF STORAGE OF AUTOCLAVED DENTAL INSTRUMENTS AT

CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY – MAKATI”
J.C.T. Alvarez, H.C.S. Borja, H.P. Herrera, N.J.M. Malabanan, W.M. Miller,
A.J.D. Peñones, R.B.M. Yabyabin, L.C. Baniqued, C. P. Sanchez

Department of Dentistry Centro Escolar University -Makati

ABSTRACT

One of the most common protocols in the field of infection control is the sterilization of instruments prior to any
clinical procedure. This involves the use of autoclave as the most effective method of sterilization to destroy spore-
forming bacteria. The researchers assessed the prevailing practices according to duration and method of storage of
autoclaved dental instruments at Centro Escolar University – Makati. In the clinical infirmary, the sterilized instruments
are only valid for 3 days. This study was done for the safety of the patients, benefit of the clinicians and maximizing
the use of autoclaved machines. Experimental method was done to determine the specific controls of variables. The
researchers provided the clinician 39 new dental explorers that were cleaned and sterilized to be stored in different
storage condition and duration for observation of presence or absence of bacteria. The result showed that, although
statistically insignificant, the duration does not affect the sterility of autoclaved dental instruments in terms of colony
count. This study determined whether there is a presence or absence of bacteria after storing for several days and
leaving it to the usual storage done by the students.

INTRODUCTION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Providing proper healthcare is the utmost priority Analysis of Variance of Duration of Storage of All Samples
of dental clinicians in every clinical procedure. It is by Standard Verbal
autoclave that it is possible to establish the Days Mean P-Value
Deviation Interpretation
microorganism-free instruments to further prevent
1 day 9.44 15.34
disease transmission associated with the use of the
instruments. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of 2 days 5.00 8.97 No significant
0.38
method of storage to the sterility of autoclaved dental 3 days 0.78 1.64 difference
instrument with the underlying factors such as its 4 days 6.22 9.82
duration and manner of storage.
The table shows that the duration of storage does not
OBJECTIVES affect the sterility of the autoclaved dental instruments.
Comparison Between Different Storage Condition of All Samples
1. To determine how did the duration of storage
affect the autoclaved dental instrument in terms of and the Control Group Using T-test
colony count Standard Verbal
Storage Condition Mean P-Value
2. To determine how did the method of storage Deviation Interpretation
affect the autoclaved dental instrument in terms of Inside the Locker 5.00 6.47 Significant
colony count. 0.014
Control Group 0 0 Difference
3. To determine what are the most effective Sealed plastic storage
duration and method of storage of autoclaved dental 1.75 3.17 No Significant
box inside the locker 0.069
instruments. Difference
Control Group 0 0
Inside a tackle box with
METHODS AND PROCEDURES 9.33 15.81
other dental materials No significant
0.053
difference
Control Group 0 0

Although statistically insignificant the sealed plastic storage

box inside the locker has the least mean of colonies showing that
it is the most effective method of storage.

PREPARATION STERILIZATION CONCLUSION

CULTURE MEDIA PREPARATION
The researchers concluded that the duration and
method of storage does not affect the sterility of
autoclaved dental instruments.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are offered by
the researchers:
1. To extend the validity of sterilized instruments to
STORAGE maximize the use of autoclave machines and energy
consumption.
2. To have a separate container for sterilized
instruments to prevent too much handling.

REFERENCES
Garg N.(2013), Textbook of Operative Dentistry. New Delhi India:
Jaypee Publishers. pp. 212-218

SURFACE SAMPLING COLONY COUNT Thompson F. (2012), Oral Surgery for Undergraduates and General
AND INCUBATION Practitioners. New Delhi India: Rajan Jain. p. 105