Once a dental procedure is complete and the patient dismissed from the operatory, contaminated instruments and devices lie on bracket tables and countertops in a state of disarray. Yet, as the next patient is seated, wrapped and sterile instrument packages curiously seem to reemerge as they lie ready and waiting to be utilized for safe patient care. This CE webinar will review the behind-the-scenes journey that dental instruments continuously take via the instrument processing pathway. Along this complex, continuous and cyclical journey, current standards, best practices, and methods of sterility assurance will be addressed. With attention to detail, dental personnel may maximize infection prevention goals and assure safe work environment for those involved in sterilization and disinfection tasks.

During this CE webinar, we will
• Review Spaulding’s Classification to determine which patient-care items must be heat sterilized
• Identify the steps involved in instrument processing
• Describe methods for cleaning, packaging and sterilizing instruments
• Identify the methods to assure sterility including mechanical, chemical and biological monitoring   ( disclaimer, bio and commercial disclosure )