According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly half of the world’s population is suffering from some kind of oral disease, an estimation so high that it includes 45% or 3.5 billion people. The major reason behind this massive burden of oral diseases is the overall poor oral health due to limited access to much-needed facilities. However, in some cases, people who regularly visit their dentist also face certain disorders related to their oral cavity. These conditions can be attributed to improperly cleaned dental equipment which, instead of providing better oral health, become the source of transmitting infectious agents. Therefore, dental care can also be linked to the sterilization of dental equipment. Let us take a look at how these two can be ensured.
Impact of Dental Equipment Sterilization on Patient Safety
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control has reported the transmission of HIV as well as hepatitis B virus to multiple patients from a single ill-maintained dental equipment.
These findings have rendered accessing dental treatments risky which further elevates the need to employ strict sterilization practices in high-risk dental care settings. This way, protection for the patient as well as the dentist is guaranteed.
Quality Assurance in Dental Equipment
By taking care of dental equipment through the implementation of proper sterilization, it becomes possible to increase the overall life of the equipment. This longevity creates the possibility of less worn-out parts, minimum equipment failures, as well as higher efficiency.
Moreover, the need to replace an instrument after its use for a certain time is also delayed thus providing economic benefits. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a dental instrument that carries a premarket notification 510(k) enjoys the luxury of being sold in the market.
While making a quality assessment, the existence of this document for each instrument should be made sure. X-ray machines are analyzed to confirm their efficiency in producing clear images.
Based on the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain chemical indicators as well as spore tests should be employed at least once per week to check if the sterilization process being used in a dental facility is up-to-the-mark.
Thus, by adopting these measures, the quality of dental equipment as well as its condition while being in use can be considered fit for utilization. Hence, these instruments are labeled safe to use due to being in compliance with the stated guidelines.
Advanced Sterilization Techniques
By employing a number of cutting-edge sterilization methods and equipment, it becomes uncomplicated to achieve 99% sterilization. All of these methods provide distinct advantages based on the sterilization principle they follow. Some of these technologies have been elaborated as follows:
Autoclaving
Autoclaving is often employed to sterilize the dental equipment. In this method, the instruments are kept at a pre-set temperature i.e. usually 121°C for a specified period of time (25 minutes) until they become free from all kinds of microbes.
A pump affixed to the autoclave removes the air from the sterilization chamber prior to initializing the process. This ensures that the resistance from the air is minimal when the steam penetrates the instruments during the sterilization process.
Both old as well as new autoclave sterilizers are available in the market among which, the products mentioned below stand out:
Dental Medical Autoclave Sterilizer
The dental medical autoclave is a stainless steel-bodied vacuum steam sterilizer with a capacity of 18 liters. This autoclave can be operated at two temperatures i.e. at 121°C/0.12Mpa as well as at 134°C/0.22Mpa. At these conditions, the equipment has to be operated for 25 and 6 minutes respectively.
18L Dental Lab Autoclave Sterilizer Medical Steam Sterilization Drying Function
The dental lab autoclave also works by generating steam which completes the sterilization process. With similar capacity and features, both the products differ based on a slight variation in their price.
– Instrument Sterilization Wraps
Instrument sterilization wraps are made up of polypropylene three-layer spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) and are intended to be wrapped over the medical instruments for the purpose of sterilization. One of the commonly used wraps includes those manufactured by Halyard.
Halyard Sterilization Wraps
Halyard sterilization wraps are prepared by employing strong recyclable material. These are available in various sizes and are suitable for a variety of medical items.
– Instrument Sterilization Wipes
Instrument sterilization wipes are employed to clean the medical equipment without sterilization. These are particularly designed to wipe away germs from non-invasive instruments.
Their non-woven material does not leave microscopic fibers on the instruments once they are used.
Moreover, these are alcohol-free and are effective against a wide range of viruses, bacteria, as well as fungi including yeast.
All of the sterilization equipment mentioned in this article, along with multiple other medical supplies, are available at Health Supply 770 at the most affordable prices. Furthermore, the prices are even lower during the weekly deals they offer on certain items. Do check out the links at the end of the article for making a purchase.
Conclusion
Our oral cavity is the route through which bacteria and other disease-causing organisms can enter the body. If proper dental care is not practiced, tooth decay due to several oral diseases becomes common.
However, while oral hygiene is extensively emphasized, the importance of sterilization of dental equipment should also not be forgotten.
For this purpose, special focus should be given to purchasing the sterilization equipment from reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 as only good quality equipment can pave the way towards deeply cleaned dental equipment.
Dental care products to Order from Health Supply 770
Ensuring optimal dental care requires the right tools and equipment. Here are some top-quality products from Health Supply 770 that align with the standards and practices discussed in this article:
Dental Medical 18L Autoclave Sterilizer Vacuum Steam Sterilizer
18L Dental Lab Autoclave Sterilizer Medical Steam Sterilization Drying Function
Halyard Sterilization Wraps
References:
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
