Elementi base di disinfezione e sterilizzazione in odontoiatria

Objective

To provide a vademecum on disinfection and sterilization procedures used in dentistry practices that can be readily consulted by dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.

Materials and methods

This review examines the most recent scientific data on disinfection and sterilization practices used in dentistry, with emphasis on instruments, equipment, and the environment.

Results and conclusions

Dental procedures involve potential risks of infection for patients as well as operators. Establishing the link between a given procedure and the onset of an infectious episode can be difficult, and reliable estimates of the number of infections contracted during dental procedures are impossible based on current epidemiologic data. Nonetheless, the review shows that ensuring the safety of patients and personnel requires a sound knowledge of the basic principles of hygiene, techniques used in sterilization and disinfection processes, and procedures used to verify the results of the latter.