Page 20 - Compendium Chapters for Course 1 (IC, DPA, OSHA)

DRY HEAT
Sterilization can also be achieved by placing instruments into a dry-heat sterilizer that is heated to 150° C to 170° C. This oxidizes microbes. FDA-approved dry-heat sterilizers use forced-air circulation within the sterilizer. In these systems, a load of instruments will be sterilized in one hour at 170° C (340° F).
CHEMICAL VAPOR
The chemical vapor sterilizer was developed to reduce the instrument corrosion caused by the saturated steam of an autoclave. It is physically similar to an autoclave, but operationally, the chemical vapor sterilizer uses a mixture of alcohol, water, formaldehyde, and other trace chemicals to create a non-saturated vapor inside the chamber.
Microbial killing occurs due to the reaction with the formaldehyde. The operating temperature of the unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer is 132° C (270° F), and the recommended exposure time is 20 minutes. The manufacturer’s instructions to use porous instrument wraps and careful loading techniques must be observed for effective sterilization to occur. Fabrics and plastics absorb the vapors and should not be used for 24 hours after sterilization to avoid skin irritations.
CLEANING
(10) “Cleaning” is the removal of visible soil (e.g., organic and inorganic material) debris and OPIM from objects and surfaces and shall be accomplished manually or mechanically using water with detergents or enzymatic products.
As it relates to surfaces, equipment and non-sterilizable items in the dental office, precleaning of these surfaces and items must occur before disinfection. Even if no blood is visible on the surface, it must be precleaned because even a thin layer of bioburden, saliva or other potentially infectious material can reduce the effectiveness of the disinfectant (germicide) used. Precleaning reduces the number of microbes and removes other bioburden to allow surface disinfectants to perform according to their intended use.
CONTROL OF OPERATORY SURFACE CONTAMINATION
A quick look at the front of a protective face shield or eye glasses worn during routine work in the operatory will reveal significant spatter following most dental procedures. The generation of sprays containing potentially infectious microorganisms is virtually impossible to eliminate from the dental operator. Therefore all surfaces in an operatory must be considered contaminated.
Intro Page - 20
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