2204 - Efficiency in Dental Instrument Reprocessing

Session Description: This presentation is intended for all audiences who seek education and guidance related to infection prevention and control in regards to instrument reprocessing in the dental setting. The dental setting is unique in many regards and is still considered part of health care. There are more reusable instruments and equipment used on a daily basis in dental settings across the world than in medical clinics. This scenario places an increased risk of possible transmission of pathogens if reusable dental instruments are not reprocessed appropriately. Dental settings can vary in regards to their instrument processing area. Small and shared spaces are common in stand-alone dental clinics. Dental health care personnel receive little education on reprocessing of instruments in formal education. Ongoing education and competencies of instrument processing is imperative to a successful and safe dental clinic. This presentation will show how standardization and a focus on efficiency related to dental instrument reprocessing will lead to staff safety and better patient outcomes. Careful attention to the specifics of dental instrumentation and manufacturer's instructions for use will be discussed. The introduction of dental equipment and material used in dental instrumentation will be presented. Dental clinics require a watchful eye when it comes to infection prevention and control. Unfortunately, there are not many infection preventionists working at dental clinics. However, dental clinics are being combined with hospital settings more often, especially with community health and dental support organization (DSO) clinics. This presentation will assist the infection preventionist to also identify gaps in their scope of practice and expand on their knowledge. This program/process can be reproducible and operationalized in other dental clinics.