PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT STERILIZATION IN CLINICAL DENTISTRY

Have you ever been in a situation sitting on a dental chair in a dentist office, looking at all the instruments thinking if they ever get cleaned?

You think your dentist would use clean set of instruments for you, but does he really?

Contaminated/Dirty instruments are the most common cause for spreading of infections in dental setups. Many diseases like hepatitis and HIV can spread via this way. Many dentists around us either don't know proper standard rules or don't buy the required 'machines' just to save some pennies.

One major problem is lack of public awareness towards the ill practicing technicians in our society that don't have proper facilities to clean the instruments.

To minimise the risk of infection, a new concept was introduced known as 'Sterilization'.

The instruments are heated under specific pressure for a certain amount of time which results in killing of germs and make the instruments clean and useable. Instruments are packed in different coloured pouches and placed in a sterilization machine (Also known as autoclave machine). Once the instruments get cleaned, the colour code on the pouches change to a specific colour showing that instruments have been sterilized and are now ready to use.

In addition to clean instruments, it is also necessary to have a clean environment where patients are operated. For that, chemicals can be used to clean the cupboard, handles, dental chairs, and all other things that can come in contact with the patient. This process of cleaning these surrounding things is called 'Disinfection'.

Next time you go to any dentist, make sure to inquire about the sterilization process and just to be on the safe side, look out for the colour codes.