How To Keep Long Lifetime For Your Dental equipments

For dentists and dental assistants, knowledge of the various forms and types of dental equipment is paramount to contributing to a successful dental practice. From mouth mirrors to forceps, dentistry equipment covers a wide range of specialized tools used specifically for tooth care. Knowledge and the ability to identify dentistry equipment is an essential prerequisite to becoming a professional in the dentistry field. As opposed to dental instruments, dental equipment also includes items such as dental chairs and dental units. 

 

 

All dental instruments must be cleaned, sterilized and properly stored in a designated area to eliminate the spread of bacteria or other contaminants. This includes any instruments that have been exposed outside of the designated sterile environment, whether used or unused. The Center for Disease Control classifies dental instruments in three categories: critical, semi-critical and non-critical. The critical and semi-critical tools that penetrate bone and tissue, or touch mucous membranes must be sterilized using heat. The non-critical tools that contact intact skin may be cleaned using a low-level or intermediate-level disinfectant. 

 

Properly cleaning contaminated dental instruments--the responsibility of a dental assistant--prevents the spread of disease-causing microorganisms from one patient to another. Critical instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone must be sterilized by heat. Semicritical instruments that touch mucous membranes or broken skin also must be heat-sterilized or receive high-level disinfection, according to "Torres and Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting." 

 

In the clean area of the instrument-processing area, place the instruments in sterilization packaging. Place a chemical indicator (for example, strips) inside the package to ensure the instruments are exposed to the correct pressure, temperature and time. If a chemical monitoring indicator such as color-change markings is not visible on the outside of the package, place an external process indicator (for example, autoclave tape) on the package to ensure the package has been exposed to a certain temperature, and label the package in ink.

 

Place the loose instruments or cassettes of instruments in the basket of an ultrasonic cleaner. Turn the cycle to "on" for 5 to 15 minutes until the instruments are visibly clean (the ultrasonic cleaner uses sound waves to loosen and remove debris from instruments). Afterward, remove the basket and thoroughly rinse the instruments in a sink under tap water, and gently turn the basket onto a towel to remove the instruments or cassettes.