The use of enzymatic detergents is becoming increasingly more common for cleaning instruments prior to sterilisation. This is down to an efficient and effective cleaning action free from harsh chemicals. Click here to find out more.

• Enzymatic cleaners can be used for manual cleaning or in an ultrasonic bath or washer disinfector for a fully audited and validated process.
• Non-enzymatic detergents are also suitable for all three methods with the benefit of not having to be measured quite so specifically.

As with any infection control product, the manufacturer’s instructions and dilution rates should be followed closely.

During dental treatment, all surfaces in the room are at risk of becoming contaminated with bacterial and viral pathogens.

Removing harmful viruses and bacteria from dental surfaces requires cleaning and disinfection. This can be done in either two stages using a detergent to clean followed by a wipe to disinfect, or in a one-stage process using all-in-one cleaning and disinfectant wipes.

Whichever your preferred method, it is important that the wipes and detergents have the right spectrum of activity and efficacy. Click here to find out more.

Research has shown that there is a small possibility of cross-contamination from backflow from the low-volume suction lines used for the saliva ejector.

Suction lines should be cleaned every day with an evacuation system cleaner to remove blood and debris, and a disinfectant that is compatible with the evacuation system should be run through the tubing to ensure bacteria, fungi, and viruses are all deactivated.

Dental impressions are also a potential source of cross infection, particularly when transported between the clinical area and the laboratory. They may be contaminated with saliva or blood, which can contain both viral and bacterial pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis A, B, and C viruses.

All prostheses that enter and leave the laboratory should be disinfected. Immersion is considered the most reliable form of disinfecting impressions as the solution can reach all corners and crevices of the impression.