PRESENTED BY

DR. M. SHIVA SHANKER

IST YEAR POST GRADUATE STUDENT ,
DEPT OF PERIODONTICS, MAMATA DENTAL COLLEGE.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
INFECTION
TRANSMISSION OF INFECTION
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
MODE OF INFECTION CONTROL
INFECTION CONCERN IN
DENTISTRY

OBJECTIVES OF INFECTION
CONTROL

PERSONAL BARRIER
PROTECTION

EMERGENCY & EXPOSURE

INCIDENT PLAN

OPERATORY ASEPSIS

STERILIZATION

DISINFECTION
INSTRUMENT HANDLING &
CLEANING
MONITORS OF STERILIZATON
CLINICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

STORAGE OF STERILIZED ITEMS

HANDPIECE ASEPSIS
CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION
Microorganisms are ubiquitous.
Since pathogenic microorganisms cause contamination,
infection and decay, it becomes necessary to remove or
destroy them from materials and areas.

This is the objective of infection control and sterilization.

DEFINITIONS
INFECTION CONTROL Also called exposure control plan by
OSHA is a required office program that is designed to protect
personnel against risks of exposure to infection.

STERILIZATION: Use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy

all microorganisms including substantial numbers of resistant bacterial
spores.

Sterilization means the destruction of all life forms. (Ronald B Luftig)

Sterilization is the process of killing or removing all viable organisms.
(MIMS PLAYFAIR)

 STERILE: Free from all living microorganisms; usually described as a

probability (e.g., the probability of a surviving microorganism being 1
in 1 million).

DISINFECTION: Destruction of pathogenic and other kinds of

microorganisms by physical or chemical means. Disinfection is less
lethal than sterilization, because it destroys the majority of recognized
pathogenic microorganisms, but not necessarily all microbial forms
(e.g., bacterial spores).

Disinfection is a process of removing or killing most, but not all, viable

organisms.
(MIMSPLAYFAIR)

Disinfection refers to the destruction of pathogenic organisms.

(Ronald B

 DISINFECTANT: A chemical agent used on inanimate objects to

destroy virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms, but not
necessarily all microbial forms (e.g., bacterial endospores).

ASEPSIS: prevention of microbial contamination of living

tissues or
sterile materials by excluding, removing or killing microorganisms.

TRANSMISSION OF INFECTION

MODES OF TRANSMISSION:
Infectious
agent

Susceptible
host

Reservoirs

Chain of
infection
Portal of
entry

Portal of exit

Means of
transmission

Six links in chain of transmission of infection

INFECTION CONCERN IN DENTISTRY

Transmitted by inhalation
Varicella virus

Chicken pox

Paramyxovirus

Measles & Mumps

Rhino/adeno virus

Common cold

Mycobacterium

Tuberculosis

Rubella

German Measles

Candida sp

Candidosis

TRANSMITTED BY INOCULATION
Hepatitis B,C,D

Hepatitis

Herpex simplex I

Oral herpes, herpetic whitlow

Herpex simplex II

Genital herpes

HIV

AIDS & ARC

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gonorrhoeae

Treponema pallidum

Syphilis

S.aureus/ albus

Wound abscess

CROSS
INFECTION
Disease
Hepatitis A

Work restriction
Restrict from patient contact, contact with
patients environment, and food-handling.

Duration
Until 7 days after onset of jaundice

Hepatitis B
Personnel with acute or chronic hepatitis B
surface antigenemia who do not perform
exposure-prone procedures
Personnel with acute or chronic hepatitis B e
antigenemia who perform exposure-prone
procedures

No restriction

Hepatitis C

No restrictions on professional activity.

HCV-positive health-care personnel should
follow aseptic technique and standard
precautions.
Restrict from patient contact and contact with Until lesions heal
patients environment.
Evaluate need to restrict from care of patients
at high risk.

Hands (herpetic whitlow)

Orofacial

Do not perform exposure-prone invasive

procedures

Until hepatitis B e antigen is negative

HIV

Do not perform exposure-prone

invasive procedures.

Rubella

Active

Exclude from duty

Until 5 days after rash appears

Postexposure (susceptible personnel)

Exclude from duty

From seventh day after first exposure

through twenty-first day after last
exposure

Staphylococcus aureus infection

Active, draining skin lesions

Carrier state

Streptococcal infection, group A

Restrict from contact with patients

and patients environment or food
handling.
No restriction unless personnel are
epidemiologically linked to
transmission of the organism
Restrict from patient care, contact
with patients environment, and foodhandling.

Until lesions have resolved

Until 24 hours after adequate

treatment started

Tuberculosis
Active disease

Exclude from duty

PPD converter

No restriction

Until proved noninfectious

Varicella (chicken pox)

Active

Exclude from duty

Until all lesions dry and crust

Postexposure (susceptible personnel)

Exclude from duty

From tenth day after first exposure

through twenty-first day (twentyeighth day if varicella-zoster immune
globulin [VZIG] administered) after
last exposure.

Cover lesions, restrict from care of

patients at high risk
Restrict from patient contact

Until all lesions dry and crust

Restrict from patient contact

From tenth day after first exposure

through twenty-first day (twentyeighth day if VZIG administered) after
last exposure; or, if varicella occurs,
when lesions crust and dry
Until all symptoms resolve

Zoster (shingles)
Localized, in healthy person
Generalized or localized in
immunosup- pressed person
Postexposure (susceptible personnel)

Viral respiratory infection, acute

febrile

Consider excluding from the care of

patients at high risk

Until all lesions dry and crust

OBJECTIVES OF INFECTION CONTROL

Reduce

Protect

Implement

Simplify

STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE INFECTION CONTROL

Screening

PPE

Aseptic techniques

Sterilization &
disinfection

disposal

Laboratory asepsis

PREPROCEDURAL MOUTH RINSE

CONTINUED
Phenolic related essential oils
Bis-biguanides
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Halogens
Oxygenating agents
A commercial mouthrinse containing 0.05 percent CPC when used as
a preprocedural mouthrinse was equally effective as CHX in reducing
the levels of spatter bacteria generated during ultrasonic scaling.
Magda Feres et all, JADA 2010

HAND HYGIENE

 For routine dental examination procedures, hand washing is achieved

by using either a plain or antimicrobial soap and water.

The purpose of surgical hand antisepsis is to eliminate transient flora

and reduce resident flora to prevent introduction of organisms in the
operative wound, if gloves become punctured or torn.

At the beginning of a routine treatment period, watches and jewelry

must be removed and hands must be washed with a suitable
cleanser.

Hands must be lathered for at least 10 seconds, rubbing all surfaces

and rinsed.

Clean brushes can be used to scrub under and around the nails.
Must be repeated at least once to remove all soil.

HAND CLEANSERS

CHLORHEXIDINE BASED these contain 2- 4% chlorhexidine gluconate

with 4% isopropyl alcohol in a detergent solution with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5.
They have broader activity for special cleansing(e.g: for surgery, glove leaks,
or when clinician experiences injury). But it can be hazardous to eyes.

POVIDONE IODONE contain 7.5-10% povidone iodine, used as a surgical

hand scrub.

PARACHLOROMETEXYLENOL(PCMX) they are bactericidal and

fungicidal at 2% concentration. Non irritating and recommended for routine
use.

ALCOHOL HAND RUBS- ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are widely
used at 70% concentration. They are rapidly germicidal when applied to the
skin.

PERSONAL BARRIER PROTECTION

Personal protective equipment (PPE), or barrier precautions, are a
major component of Standard precautions.

PPE is essential to protect the skin and the mucous membranes of

personnel from exposure to infectious or potentially infectious
materials.

The various barriers are gloves, masks, protective eye wear, surgical
head cap & overgarments

GLOVES
Types:
1. Latex gloves

VINYL GLOVES

NITRILE GLOVES

NEOPRENE

GENERAL PURPOSE UTILITY GLOVES

STEPS IN GLOVING

CONTACT DERMATITIS AND LATEX

HYPERSENSITIVITY
Contact dermatitis is classified as
1. Irritant
2. Allergic.

Latex hypersensitivity

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN FOR LATEX ALLERGIC

PATIENTS
Be aware that latent allergens in the ambient air can cause respiratory
or anaphylactic symptoms among persons with latex hypersensitivity.

Patients with latex allergy can be scheduled for the first appointment
of the day to mini- mize their inadvertent exposure to airborne latex
particles.

Have emergency treatment kits with latex free products available at all
times.

MASKS
Types:
1. Surgical masks (required to have
fluid-resistant properties).

1. Procedure/isolation masks
Made up from a melt blown placed between non-woven fabric
Layers of a Mask

1. an outer layer
2. a microfiber middle layer - filter large wearer-generated particles
3. a soft, absorbent inner layer - absorbs moisture.
Available in 2 sizes: regular and petite.

N95 PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) introduced a

rating system which identifies the abilities of respirators to remove the most
difficult particles to filter, referred to as the most penetrating particle size
(MPPS), which is 0.3m in size.

The N means Not resistant to oil.

N95: captures at least 95% of particles at MPPS.
N99: captures 99% of particles at MPPS.
N100: captures 99.97% of particles at MPPS.

WHEN SHOULD I WEAR AN N95

RESPIRATOR?

N95 particulate respirator

EYE WEAR
CAUSES OF EYE DAMAGE:
1. Aerosols and spatter may transmit infection
2. Sharp debris projected from mouth while using air turbine
handpiece, ultrasonic scaler may cause eye injury.

3. Injuries to eyes of patients caused by sharp instruments especially

in supine position

OVER GARMENTS
Gown type

Situation and Rationale

Cotton/linen, reusable or disposable, long-sleeved

isolation gowns

Use if contamination of uniform or clothing is likely

or anticipated

Fluid resistant isolation gown or plastic apron over

isolation gown

Use if contamination of uniform or clothing from

significant volumes of blood or body fluids is likely
or anticipated (fluids may wick through non-fluid
resistant reusable or disposable isolation gowns)

Fluid impervious gowns e.g., Gortex

Use if extended contact or large volume exposure

(e.g., large volume blood loss during resuscitation of
MVA victim or surgical assist)

FOOTWEAR

Most hospitals have their own policies regarding footwear.

Footwear with open heels and/or holes across the top can increase
the risk of harm to the person wearing them due to more direct
exposure to blood/body fluids or of sharps being dropped for
examples.

PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID INJURY

EXPOSURE
Engineering controls are the primary method to reduce exposures to
blood from sharp instruments and needles

Work-practice controls establish practices to protect personnel whose

responsibilities include handling, using, or processing sharp devices.

Sharp end of instruments must be pointed away from the hand

Avoid handling large number of sharp devices.

EMERGENCY & EXPOSURE INCIDENT PLAN

Management of exposure includes:
1. General wound care and cleaning.
2. Counseling of the exposed worker regarding bloodborne pathogens.
3. Source patient testing for HBV,HCV and HIV (consent required).
4. Documentation of the incident and review.
5. Postexposure assessment and prophylaxis for the health care worker.
6. Baseline and follow up serology of the worker

HBV POST EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT

IF

AND

THEN

Source pt is +ve for HBsAG

Exposed worker not vaccinated

Worker should receive vaccine series

should receive single dose of HB
immunoglobulin within 7 days.

Exposed worker has been vaccinated

Should be tested for anti-HBs & given

1 dose of vaccine & 1 dose of HBIG
< 10 IU
Worker should be encouraged to
receive hepatitis B vaccine.
No further action is needed.

Source pt is -ve for HBsAG

Exposed worker not vaccinated

Exposed worker has been vaccinated

Source pt refuses testing or not

identified.

Exposed worker not vaccinated

Exposed worker has been vaccinated

Should receive HB series

HBIG should be considered
Management should be
individualized.

HIV POST EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT

IF

THEN

Source pt has AIDS

OR
Source pt is HIV+ve
OR
Source Pt refuses to be tested

Exposed worker should be

Exposed worker testing ve initially
counseled about risk of infection. should be retested 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Should be tested for HIV infection & 6 months after exposure
immediately
Should be asked to seek medical
advice for any febrile illness
within12 weeks
Refrain from blood donation &
take appropriate precautions

Source pt is tested & found -ve

Baseline testing of the exposed worker

with follow up testing 12 weeks later
Serological testing must be done &
decisions must be individualized

Source cannot be identified

AND

OPERATORY ASEPSIS
In the dental operatory, environmental surfaces (i.e., a surface or
equipment that does not contact patients directly) can become
contaminated during patient care. Certain surfaces, especially ones
touched frequently (e.g., light handles, unit switches, and drawer
knobs) can serve as reservoirs of microbial contamination, although
they have not been associated directly with transmission of infection
to either personnel or patients.

Transfer of microorganisms from contaminated environmental

surfaces to patients occurs primarily through personnel hand contact

 Almost 40(1939) years ago, Dr. E. H. Spaulding proposed a

classification system for disinfecting and sterilizing medical and
surgical instruments. This system, or variations of it, has been used in
infection control over the years.
Disinfection of surgical instruments in a chemical solution

CDC CLASSIFICATION
Category

Definition

Critical

Penetrates soft tissue, contacts bone,

Surgical instruments, periodontal
enters into or contacts the bloodscalers, scalpel blades, surgical dental
stream or other normally sterile tissue. burs

Semicritical

Contacts mucous membranes or

nonintact skin; will not penetrate soft
tissue, contact bone, enter into or
contact the bloodstream or other
normally sterile tissue.
Contacts intact skin.

Noncritical

Dental instrument or item

Dental mouth mirror, amalgam

condenser, reusable dental impression
trays, dental handpieces

Radiograph head/cone, blood pressure

cuff, facebow, pulse oximeter

DISINFECTION
Disinfection is always at least a two-step procedure:
The initial step involves vigorous scrubbing of the surfaces to be
disinfected and wiping them clean.

The second step involves wetting the surface with a disinfectant and
leaving it wet for the time prescribed by the manufacturer.

 The ideal disinfectant has the following properties:

1. Broad spectrum of activity
2. Acts rapidly
3. Non corrosive
4. Environment friendly
5. Is free of volatile organic compounds
6. Nontoxic & nonstaining

 High-level disinfection: Disinfection process that inactivates vegetative

bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and viruses but not necessarily high
numbers of bacterial spores.

Intermediate-level disinfection: Disinfection process that inactivates

vegetative bacteria, the majority of fungi, mycobacteria, and the
majority of viruses (particularly enveloped viruses) but not bacterial
spores.

Low-level disinfectant: Liquid chemical germicide. OSHA requires lowlevel hospital disinfectants also to have a label claim for potency
against HIV and HBV.

Gigasept which contains succindialdehyde and

dimethoxytetrahydrofuran are used for disinfection of plastic and
rubber materials eg: dental chair

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION STRATEGIES

FOR BLOOD SPILLS

Strategies for decontaminating spills of blood and other body fluids differ by
setting and volume of the spill.

The person assigned to clean the spill should wear gloves and other PPE as
needed.

Visible organic material should be removed with absorbent material (e.g.,

disposable paper towels discarded in a leak-proof, appropriately labeled
container).

Nonporous surfaces should be cleaned and then decontaminated with either

an hospital disinfectant effective against HBV and HIV or an disinfectant with
a tuberculocidal claim (i.e., intermediate-level disinfectant).

However, if such products are unavailable, a 1:100 dilution of sodium

hypochlorite (e.g., approximately cup of 5.25% household chlorine bleach

PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING

AND CLEANING INSTRUMENTS AFTER
TREATMENT

The safest and most efficient instrument cleaning procedures involve

ultrasonic cleaning of used instruments kept in a perforated basket or
cassette throughout the cleaning procedure.

Used instruments are commonly placed in an anti microbial solution as this

softens and loosens debris.

Next, move the or basket of instruments into an ultrasonic cleaning device,

rinse them, and then carefully inspect the instruments for debris.

Dip instruments likely to rust into a rust inhibitor solution. Drain & dry
instruments with absorbent towel.

ULTRASONIC CLEANERS AND SOLUTIONS

An ultrasonic cleaner uses sound waves, that are outside the human hearing
range to form oscillating bubbles, a process called cavitation.

These bubbles act on debris to remove it from the instruments.

Ultrasonic cleaning is the safest and most efficient way to clean sharp
instruments.

Operate the tank at one-half to three-fourths full of cleaning solution at all

times- Use only cleaning solutions recommended by ultrasonic device
manufacturers.

Operate the ultrasonic cleaner for 3-6 minutes for loose instruments 10-20
mins for cassettes or longer as directed by the manufacturer to give optimal

INSTRUMENT WASHER
Instrument washers use high-velocity hot water and a detergent to
clean instruments.

These devices require personnel to either place instruments in a

basket or to use instrument cassettes during the cleaning and drying
cycles.

Types:
1. Counter top model
2. Resembles a kitchen dish washer

THERMAL DISINFECTORS
These devices may look like the instrument washers described above;
however, there is one important difference.

The high temperature of the water and chemical additives in these

devices cleans and disinfects the instruments.

Instruments can be more safely handled, and if the dental healthcare

professional were to sustain a puncture injury, it would not require the
follow-up that a contaminated exposure requires

NEW SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY: KILLING

GERMS ON MEDICAL, DENTAL INSTRUMENTS
It is completely off-grid, uses sunlight as the energy source, is not
that large, kills disease-causing microbes effectively and relatively
quickly and is easy to operate.

Halas and colleagues have prototypes of two solar steam machines.

1. The autoclave for sterilizing medical and dental instruments.
2. Autoclave for disinfecting human and animal wastes

Metallic nanoparticles bits of material so small that hundreds would fit inside
the period go into a container of water.

Sunlight focused into the water quickly heats the nanoparticles, which
scientists are terming nanoheaters.

A layer of steam forms on the nanoheaters and buoys them up to the waters
surface. They release the steam and sink back down into the water to repeat
the process.

Nanoheaters generate steam at a remarkably high efficiency, Halas said.

More than 80 percent of the energy they absorb from sunlight goes into
production of steam.

The prototype autoclaves consist of a dish-like mirror that focuses sunlight

into a container of water with the nanoheaters.

INSTRUMENT PROCESSING

SELECTION OF PACKAGING MATERIALS

FOR STERILIZATION
Steam sterilization

Papers, cellulose, cotton/polyester cloths,

window packs, perforated rigid containers
with bacterial filters, glass containers for
liquids

Dry heat (hot air oven)

Metal canisters and tubes of aluminium foil,

glass tubes, bottles

ETO

Paper & Plastic, perforated rigid containers

with bacterial filters

Low temperature steam

Paper, cloth

Radiation sterilization

Polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene, foil.

STERILIZATION
Stages for instrument sterilization:
1. Presoaking
2. Cleaning
3. Corrosion control and lubrication
4. Packaging
5. Sterilization
6. Handling sterile instruments
7. Storage
8. Distribution

AGENTS USED IN STERILIZATION

Physical agents:

Chemical agents:

1. Sunlight

1. Alcohols: ethyl, isopropyl,

2. Drying
3. Dryheat: flaming, incineration, hot air

4. Moist heat: pasteurization, boiling,

steam under pressure, steam under
normal pressure.

5. Filtration: candles asbestos pads,

membranes

trichlorobutanol

2. Aldehydes: formaldehyde,
glutaraldehyde

3. Dyes
4. Halogens
5. Phenols
6. Surface-active agents

6. Radiation

7. Metallic salts

7. Ultrasonic and sonic vibrations

8. Gases: ethylene oxide,

THE FOUR ACCEPTED METHODS OF

STERILIZATION ARE :
Steam pressure sterilization (autoclave)
Chemical vapor pressure sterilization- (chemiclave)
Dry heat sterilization (dryclave)
Ethylene oxide sterilization

STEAM PRESSURE STERILIZATION

(AUTOCLAVING)

Advantages of Autoclaves.

1.

Autoclaving is the most rapid and

effective method for sterilizing
cloth surgical packs and towel
packs.

2.

Is dependable and economical

3.

Sterilization is verifiable.

Disadvantages of Autoclaves.

1.

Items sensitive to the elevated

temperature cannot be
autoclaved.

2.

Autoclaving tends to rust carbon

steel instruments and burs.

3.

Instruments must be air dried at

completion of cycle

TYPES OF AUTOCLAVE
DOWNWARD DISPLACEMENT

Also known as Gravity displacement unit.

This is because of the method of air removal in the sterilization chamber.
POSITIVE PRESSURE DISPLACEMENT

Its an improvement over downward displacement autoclave.

Steam is created in a second, separate chamber and held until the proper amount to
displace all of the air in the sterilization chamber is accumulated.

The steam is then released into the sterilization chamber in a pressurized blast,
forcing the air out through the drain hole and starting the sterilization process

 NEGATIVE PRESSURE DISPLACEMENT

one of the most accurate types of unit available
Once the sterilization chamber door is closed, a vacuum pump
removes the air.

Steam is created in a second, separate chamber.

Once the air has been completely removed from the sterilization
chamber, the steam is then released into the sterilization chamber in a
pressurized blast much like that of a positive pressure displacement
unit.

The negative pressure displacement unit is able to achieve a high

"Sterility Assurance Level" (SAL), but the system can be quite large
and costly.

 TRIPLE VACUUM AUTOCLAVE

A triple vacuum autoclave is set up/function in a similar fashion to a
negative pressure displacement.

This is repeated three times, hence the name "triple vacuum"

autoclave. This type of autoclave is suitable for all types of
instruments and is very versatile

CLASSIFICATION OF A AUTOCLAVE
Classification

Suitable for
Processing

Eschmann Model

Used by

N Type (Downward
Displacement)

Unwrapped solid
instruments for
immediate use.

SES 2000, Little Sister

3, Little Sister 5

S Type (Vacuum)

Items specified by the

autoclave
manufacturer. N.B.
Eschmann units
suitable for naked and
single wrapped solid
and hollow items.

Little Sister 5 Vacuum

Little Sister Quick Vac

Medical Surgeries
Podiatrist
Tattooist
Body Pierces

B Type (Vacuum)

Unwrapped &
wrapped solid and
hollow instruments.
Porous loads, e.g
drapes & gowns.

Little Sister 3 Vacuum

Dentists
Plastic surgeons
Day surgeries

CHEMICAL VAPOR PRESSURE STERILIZATION

(CHEMICLAVING)

The 1938 patent of dr. George hollenback and the work of hollenback
and harvey in 1940s culminated in the development of an unsaturated
chemical vapor system , also called harvey chemiclave.

Advantages
1. Carbon steel and other corrosion-

Disadvantages
1. Items sensitive to the elevated

sensitive instruments are said to

be sterilized without rust.

2.

3.
4.

Relatively quick turnaround time

for instruments.

Load comes out dry.

Sterilization is verifiable.

temperature will be damaged.

Vapor odor is offensive, requires
aeration.

2.

Heavy cloth wrappings of surgical

instruments may not be
penetrated to provide sterilization.

DRY HEAT STERILIZATION

Conventional Dry Heat Ovens
Short-Cycle, High-Temperature
Dry Heat Ovens

 Advantages of Dry Heat Sterilization

Disadvantages of Dry Heat Sterilization

1. Carbon steel instruments and burs do

1. High temperatures may damage

not rust, corrode, if they are well

dried before processing.

2. Industrial forced-draft hot air ovens

usually provide a larger capacity at a
reasonable price.

3. Rapid cycles are possible at high

temperatures.

4. Low initial cost and sterilization is

verifiable.

more heat-sensitive items, such asrubber or plastic goods.

2. Sterilization cycles are prolonged at

the lower temperatures.

3. Must be calibrated and monitored

ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZATION (ETO)

MOBILE FUMIGATOR

 Advantages:
1. Operates effectively at low

Disadvantages:
1. Potentially mutagenic and

temperatures

2.
3.
4.

carcinogenic.

Gas is extremely penetrative

2.

Can be used for sensitive

equipment like handpieces.

Requires aeration chamber

,cycle time lasts hours

3.

Usually only hospital based.

Sterilization is verifiable

GAMMA RADIATION
The Nature of Gamma Radiation A form of pure energy that is generally
characterized by its deep penetration and low dose rates, Gamma Radiation
effectively kills microorganisms throughout.

Benefits of Gamma Radiation include:

1. precise dosing

2. rapid processing
3. uniform dose distribution
4. system flexibility

5. dosimetric releasethe immediate availability of product after processing.

Penetrating Sterilization: Even with High-Density Products Gamma Radiation is a
penetrating sterilant.

Substantial Decrease in Organism Survival: Gamma Radiation kills microorganisms

by attacking the DNA molecule.

UV RADIATION

The wavelength of UV radiation ranges from 328 nm to 210 nm (3280 A to

2100 A). Its maximum bactericidal effect occurs at 240280 nm

Inactivation of microorganisms results from destruction of nucleic acid

through induction of thymine dimers.

UV radiation has been employed in the disinfection of drinking water , air,

titanium implants, and contact lenses.

The application of UV radiation in the health-care environment (i.e.,

operating rooms, isolation rooms, and biologic safety cabinets) is limited to
destruction of airborne organisms or inactivation of microorganisms on
surfaces

FLASH STERILIZATION

Flash steam sterilization was originally defined by Underwood and Perkins

as sterilization of an unwrapped object at 1320C for 3 minutes at 27-28 lbs.
of pressure in a gravity displacement sterilizer.

Currently, the time required for flash sterilization depends on the type of
sterilizer and the type of item (i.e., porous vs non-porous items).

Uses:

Flash sterilization is considered acceptable for processing cleaned patientcare items that cannot be packaged, sterilized, and stored before use.
It also is used when there is insufficient time to sterilize an item by the
preferred package method.

OXYGEN PLASMA STERILIZATION

Pure oxygen reactive ion etching type of plasmas were applied to inactivate
a biologic indicator, the Bacillus stearothermophilus, to confirm the efficiency
of this process.

The sterilization processes took a short time. In situ analysis of the microorganisms inactivating time was possible using emission spectrophotometry.

The increase in the intensity of the 777.5 nm oxygen line shows the end of
the oxidation of the biologic materials.

Files sterilized by autoclave and lasers were completely sterile. Those

sterilized by glass bead were 90% sterile and those with glutaraldehyde
were 80% sterile.

J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2010 Jan-Mar;28(1):2-5 Comparison

of the effectiveness of sterilizing endodontic files by 4 different
methods: an in vitro study.

EFFECT OF STERILIZATION ON
INSTRUMENTS
Sterilization

Type of instrument
Stainless steel

Carbon steel

Formalin-alcohol vapor at 270F

Amorphous substance formed near

cutting edge; no dulling.
Cracking of wire edge; no dulling.

Dry heat at 320F

Chipping of wire edge; no dulling.

Dulling and oxidation of cutting

surfaces
Some oxidation of surfaces; no
dulling.
No visual change.

Dry heat at 340F

Chipping of wire edge; no dulling.

No visual change

Saturated steam at 250F

Effects of Sterilization on Periodontal Instruments Roger

B. Parkes,* and Robert A. Kolstadf Accepted for publication 31
August 1981

OTHER STERILIZATION METHODS

Dry-Heat Sterilizers
Liquid Chemicals
Performic Acid
Filtration
Microwave

Glass Bead Sterilizer

Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide
Formaldehyde Steam
Gaseous Chlorine Dioxide
Vaporized Peracetic Acid
Infrared radiation

NEW METHODS OF STERILIZATION

Various new methods of sterilization are under investigation and
development.

Peroxide vapor sterilization - an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution

boils in a heated vaporizer and then flows as a vapor into a
sterilization chamber containing a load of instruments at low pressure
and low temperature

Ultraviolet light - exposes the contaminants with a lethal

dose of
energy in the form of light. The UV light will alter the DNA of the
pathogens. Not effective against RNA viruses like HIV.

OZONE
Ozone sterilization is the newest low-temperature sterilization method
recently introduced in the US and is suitable for many heat sensitive
and moisture sensitive or moisture stable medical devices

Ozone sterilization is compatible with stainless steel instruments.

Ozone Parameters The cycle time is approximately 4.5 hours, at a
temperature of 850F 940F.

STORAGE AND CARE OF STERILE

INSTRUMENTS

Storage areas should be dust proof, dry, well ventilated and easily accessible for
routine dental use.

Sterile materials should be stored atleast 8-10 inches from the floor, atleast 18
inches from the ceiling, and atleast 2 inches from the outside walls.

Items should be positioned so that packaged items are not crushed, bent, crushed,
compressed or punctured.

Items are not stored in any location where they can become wet.
Outside shipping containers and corrugated cartons should not be used as
containers in sterile storage areas.

Ultra violet chambers and formalin chambers are now commonly used for storage of
instruments.

MONITORS OF STERILIZATION
There are 3 methods of monitoring sterilization:
Mechanical techniques
Chemical indicators
1. Internal
2. External
Biological indicators

STERILIZATION METHOD
AUTOCLAVE

SPORE TYPE

INCUBATION TEMPERATURE

Bacillus stearothemophilus

56C

Bacillus subtilis

37C

B. Pumilus E601

370C

CHEMICAL VAPOR
DRY HEAT
ETHYLENE OXIDE
Gamma radiation

Sterilization monitoring has four components:

1. a sterilization indicator on the instrument bag, stamped with the date it is
sterilized,
2. daily color-change process-indicator strips,
3. weekly biologic spore test, and
4. documentation notebook.

HANDPIECE ASEPSIS
Oral fluid contamination problems of rotary equipment and especially the high-speed
handpiece involve:

contamination of hand-piece external surfaces and crevices,

turbine chamber contamination that enters the mouth,
water spray retraction and aspiration of oral fluids into the water lines of older dental
units

growth of environmental aquatic bacteria in water lines

exposure of personnel to spatter and aerosols generated by intraoral use of rotary
equipment.

HANDPIECE SURFACE CONTAMINATION

CONTROL

ULTRASONIC SCALARS

Soak inserts in a container containing 70% isopropyl alcohol for removal of

organic debris.

Rinse cleaned inserts thoroughly in warm water to remove all chemicals. As

a final rinse, replace the insert into the scaler handpiece and operate the
scaler for 10 seconds at the maximum water flow setting to flush out any
retained chemicals

Dry inserts completely with air syringe

Ethylene Oxide is the preferred method of choice

Package in proper wrap, bags, pouches, trays, or cassettes. Add spore

tests and chemical indicators.
Dry heat and chemical vapor methods of sterilization are considered
ineffective methods with risk of damage to materials as per American Dental
association Supplement to J.A.D.A. 8/92.

CLINICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

Red: Anatomical waste
Yellow: waste which requires disposal by incineration only
Black: Domestic waste minimum treatment/disposal required is landfill, municipal
incineration.

Blue: medicinal waste for incineration

White: amalgam waste for recovery.

CONCLUSION

Pervasive increases in serious transmissible diseases over the last few

decades have created global concern and impacted the treatment mode of
all health care practitioners.

Emphasis has now expanded to assuring and demonstrating to patients that

they are well protected from risks of infectious disease.

Infection control has helped to allay concerns of the health care personnel
and instill confidence and in providing a safe environment for both patient
and personnel.

REFERENCES:
Pathways of the pulp, 9th edition, armamentarium & sterilization. Cohen
Operative dentistry, infection control, 4th edition, sturdevent.

Grossmans endodontic practice, 11th edition, instrument sterilization.

Textbook of microbiology, sterilization and disinfection, 7th edition, Ananthanarayan
Textbook of clinical periodontology, Newman, Takei, Carranza, 11th edition.
Introduction to sterilization disinfection & infection control, 2nd edition, Joan F Gardner

Sterilization and disinfection of dental instruments by ADA

Disinfection & sterilization of dental instruments TB MED 266, 1995
CDC, guidelines for disinfection & sterilization in health care facilities 2008.
Infection prevention and control, college of respiratory therapists Ontario, june 2011
Effects of sterilization on periodontal instruments, JOP, vol 53, no:7, 1982.
New CDC guidelines for selected infection control procedures, chris miller.
CDC guidelines for infection control in dental health care settings, Dec19, 2003/vol.52.
Sterilization of ultrasonic inserts.