STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION IN DENTISTRY

Certainly infections cannot be attributed to the intervention of the devil but must be laid at the surgeon’s door” Dr. Harvey Cushing (1869 – 1939)Inspite of amazing number of advances in medical sciences, infection still lingers as a potential killer. Microorganisms are ubiquitous. Ability to eliminate viable microbes is important in many fields. Modern sanitary practices are aimed at reducing the incidence of disease by preventing the spread or reduction in the number of pathogenic microorganisms to concentrations that are insufficient to cause disease.Disinfection and sterilization are essential for ensuring that medical and surgical instruments do not transmit infectious pathogens to patients. Because sterilization of all patient-care items is not necessary, health-care policies must identify, primarily on the basis of the items’ intended use, whether cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization is indicated.Dentistry potentially exposes much to blood contact with infected patients.