Page 18 - Compendium Chapters for Course 1 (IC, DPA, OSHA)

Iodophor solutions have minimal toxicity for human tissues and are often used as antiseptics. They are often the active agent in surgical scrubs and can be used on skin and mucosal surfaces. After the surfaces are scrubbed, the iodophores residual antimicrobial activity remains strong even when rinsed with water.
CHLORINE-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS
Chlorine mixed with water causes oxidation of biologic molecules and is an effective antimicrobial compound. Hypochlorite solutions are simply household bleaches diluted 1:10 for sporicidal activity including inactivating the hepatitis B virus. The bleach-based disinfectants must be made fresh daily. They often degrade metal and plastic instruments and some people consider the odor offensive.
A newer group of chloride-containing compounds is known as chlorine dioxide preparations. These are also effective antimicrobials but with reduced odor and only limited corrosiveness for instruments. Both types of chlorine-based disinfectants can be irritating to the skin.
GLUTARALDEHYDES
Glutaraldehydes are the most widely used disinfectants in the dental profession. They have a wide antimicrobial range, including hepatitis viruses and M. tuberculosis cells. Bacterial spores are also killed in 6 to 10 hours of exposure. In addition, glutaraldehydes have good cleaning characteristics because of their ability to penetrate biological materials, such as blood.
Some accept the fact that because glutaraldehydes kill spores, they can be used to sterilize equipment. But the ADA no longer accepts these cold sterilants based on a number of reasons, including the compound’s inability to inactivate microbes.
STERILIZATION
(9) "Sterilization" is a validated process used to render a product free of all forms of viable microorganisms.
Numerous ways to sterilize equipment exist; however, the following are approved methods in the dental office for sterilization of reusable instruments, items and devices:
• Autoclave
• Dry heat
• Unsaturated chemical vapor
Intro Page - 18
Introductory Chapter: Dental Practice Act, Infection Control and Cal-OSHA
The California RDAEF: A Compendium for Licensure Success © The Foundation for Allied Dental Education, Inc. 2016 Copyright protected. All rights reserved