Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of dental instruments

The principles of ISO 17664:2004 may be applied when considering the information to be supplied with medical devices which only require disinfection prior to re-use.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

·         The user should be responsible for the sterility of the product as well as for the dirty instruments.

·         One should always wear personal protective equipment like (gloves, glasses, face masks etc.

·         Use disinfecting solutions which are approved for their efficacy and are standardized 

·         The repetition of the indicated processes has a minimal effect on the dental instruments.

·         The degradation of the instruments is due to the repetitive use.

INSTRUCTIONS

Pre-disinfection: 

·Soak all the instruments immediately after use in a disinfectant solution combined with proteolytic enzyme, if possible.

·Follow instructions of concentrations and immersion time given  by the manufacturer (an excessive concentration may cause corrosion on the instruments). 

· Do not use disinfectant solutions which are not compatible with the instruments.

· A pre-cleaning is recommended by brushing the instruments manually in case visible impurities are observed.

Automatic cleaning: 

·         Disassemble the instruments, if necessary and disinfection

·         Put them on an instrument tray.

·         Start the Disinfection process.

·         You could use the ULTRASONIC CLEANER

·  As a cleaning agent you could use: ID 212 instrument disinfection:

            Concentrate with excellent material compatibility for disinfection              and cleaning of instruments

·                                 Discard any instrument with important defects.
      · Avoid any contact between instruments when placing in Ultrasonic          Cleaner

            ·       Sufficient rinsing steps should be programmed.
      ·       Use “Purified Water” for rinsing. (Distilled)

Manual cleaning

• Disassemble the instruments, if necessary. and disinfection:
• Put them on an instrument rank.
• Immerse them in a disinfectant solution in Hygobox: Sturdy transport and disinfection  box with 3-litre capacity: 
• The solution has to be prepared following instructions given by the manufacturer.
•  As a cleaning agent you could use:
• ID212 instrument disinfection
• Concentrate with excellent material compatibility for disinfection and cleaning of instruments 
•  Discard any instrument with important defects.
• Avoid any contact between instruments when placing in the solution

Inspection:        

• Inspect the instruments and discard those with defects that can affect the resistance, safety or performance of them.
• Assemble the devices, if necessary.
• Dirty instruments must be cleaned and disinfected again.

 Packaging:        

• Pack the devices in sterilization packaging.
• Use sterilization packaging materials according to EN ISO 11607-1.

 Sterilization:        

• Steam sterilization at: 134 °C (273 °F) 40-45 minutes or other validated procedure.
• Use validated sterilization procedures according to EN ISO 17665-1
• Respect maintenance of the autoclave device given by the manufacturer.

Storage:

• Keep the instruments in sterilization packaging in a dry and clean environment.
• Sterility cannot be guaranteed if packaging is open, damaged or wet.