Protect Your Instrument Investment

FOLLOW THESE 7 SIMPLE MAINTENANCE STEPS

1 PRE-SOAK •O
 nly dental lubricant should be used
(no industrial lubricant)
•D
 o not let blood, mucus or
other bio fluids dry on your •L
 ubricant should be water-soluble
instruments after use and non-silicone based
•U
 se an enzymatic solution •L
 ubricate at least weekly, but more
with a neutral pH as pre-soak often is preferred
or holding solution
•3
 0-second dip (with no rinsing) or spraying (with no rinsing)
• Do not use a disinfectant to pre-soak instruments are both acceptable methods of lubrication
•D
 o not pre-soak for long periods of time (no overnight or
weekend pre-soaking) 6 PACKAGE & WRAP
•S
 eparate dissimilar materials
2 RINSE (no mixed metals) before
wrapping
• Rinse your instruments under warm water for 30 seconds
•K
 eep all instruments in open/
•T
 ap water will spot instruments so water should be distilled
unlocked position (hinges &
or demineralized
box locks can fracture during
heat expansion if closed)
3 CLEAN
•W
 rap instruments in bags,
• Instruments need to be completely clean in order to ensure
cassettes, surgical towels or
proper sterilization
containers with an indicator
•W
 ear proper personal protective equipment when cleaning inside
(goggles, face shield, mask, gloves & apron)
•S
 eparate dissimilar materials
(no mixed metals) before cleaning
7 STERILIZE
•A
 utoclaving is the only
• Apply stain remover as needed
acceptable method for
• Place instruments in ultrasonic cleaner sterilizing instruments

•A
 utomatic washers and manual •N
 ever use chemical/cold
cleaning are also accepted practice, sterilization and never
but ultrasonic cleaning is preferable use dry heat

4 RINSE & DRY

• Rinse instruments with distilled or demineralized water
• Drying is a very important step that is often overlooked Call your local Hayes office for
•D
 ry with surgical towels not treated with bleach or harmful
chemicals IN-OFFICE TRAINING and CE CREDIT!
5 LUBRICATE
•L
 ubrication is essential
to all instrument
areas where there
is metal-to-metal
contact including
hinges, box locks, screws and blades

•L
 ubrication prevents spotting, staining, corrosion and
sticking/tightness