Why it matters
Dental instruments touch blood and saliva, so they must be cleaned and sterilized after every patient. Sterilization means destroying all forms of microbial life on an instrument, and it is done by steam under pressure in a machine called an autoclave. Disinfection is a lower level of cleaning, used for surfaces that cannot go into the autoclave.
The four steps for instruments that are reused
Every reusable instrument goes through the same cycle, in the same order, after every patient. The diagram on this page shows the four steps.
- Scrub. Instruments are scrubbed to remove blood, tissue and debris, because sterilization does not work through dirt.
- Ultrasonic clean. Instruments are placed in an ultrasonic cleaner, which loosens debris from small spaces and joints.
- Sealed pouch. Sterilized instruments are kept in sealed pouches until they are used for the next patient.
Checking that the autoclave works
These checks matter because a machine can look as if it is working when it is not.
Single-use items
Clean surfaces
What you can see for yourself
You do not have to take this page on trust. The checklist below lists what you can look for at your own visit. If anything is unclear, ask. Staff are used to being asked.
To see the clinic, visit the gallery or read about your first visit.