One of the most important tasks of the dental assistant is to ensure that all dental tools that are reused are sterilized and disinfected to reduce and control the spread of infection. Sterilization is defined as the complete removal of all microorganisms including resistant bacteria and bacterial spores and includes:
Autoclave: Moist heat kills bacteria by destroying their proteins at 240°F (121°C) for 15-20 minutes or 270°F for three minutes. Some methods are used to ensure the success of sterilization, such as biological indicators that contain heat-resistant spores or autoclave tapes that contain ink that changes color with changes in temperature and pressure.[7]
Dry heat sterilization: This type of sterilization requires a higher temperature and a longer time than autoclaving.[4]
Chemical sterilization using ethylene oxide at a low temperature for two or three hours.
