Hygiene and sterilisation

Preparing the instruments

Reusable instruments are prepared in the clinic's separate sterilisation room by the staff member responsible, in the following steps:

1. Pre-cleaning. Used instruments are taken from the treatment room as soon as treatment ends and placed in a disinfectant solution so that residues do not dry on them.
2. Washing. Instruments are washed in an ultrasonic cleaner or a washer-disinfector.
3. Drying and inspection. Instruments are dried and checked one by one for cleanliness and condition.
4. Packaging. Instruments are placed in sterilisation pouches or cassettes and the package is sealed.
5. Sterilisation. Packages are sterilised under high temperature and pressure in a vacuum steam steriliser (autoclave). Correct operation of the device is checked with regular tests.
6. Storage. Sterile packages are kept in closed, dry cupboards until they are used. The package is opened in front of the patient.

The sterilisation date is written on every package, so it is possible to trace when a package was sterilised.

Single-use items

Needles, anaesthetic cartridges, gloves, masks, saliva ejectors, cups and patient bibs are single-use. A new one is opened for each patient and discarded after use.

Preparing the treatment room

After every patient, the dental chair, light handle, tray and frequently touched surfaces are wiped with disinfectant. Some frequently touched surfaces are covered with single-use protective barriers, which are changed after each patient.

Hand hygiene and protective equipment

Dentists and assistants wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before and after every patient. Gloves, masks and protective glasses or a face shield are worn during treatment. Gloves are changed for every patient.

Medical waste

Used needles and sharp instruments are collected in puncture-resistant containers and other medical waste in separate bags, and handed over for disposal in line with the regulations.