Sterilization and disinfection in H-Clinic

Have you ever wondered how safe it can be to visit a dentist?

Today, there are many diseases transmitted by hemocontact, that is, through the use of non-sterile tools and materials, as well as through contact with infected blood or damaged areas of the mucous membranes or skin.

We offer to understand in more detail the processes of sterilization and disinfection, and what is their difference. At first glance, these concepts can be called synonyms, but in fact sterilization is a much broader concept, and disinfection is only one (nevertheless critical) of its parts.

Disinfection of medical instruments is carried out after their direct use in order to destroy the pathogens of infection. During disinfection process, pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed mainly.

Instruments are sterilized after certain stages of work in order to completely disinfect the instrument, while both pathogenic and non-pathogenic microflora are destroyed.

Our clinic has a separate sterilization room with modern professional equipment that ensures the proper level of sterilization. We also use disposable consumables where possible to minimize any health risks for patients and doctors.

Stages of sterilization

Sanitary and hygienic requirements provide that the sterilization of instruments in dentistry includes the following stages:

• disinfection — cleaning before sterilization (pre-sterilization)
• packing in special kraft bags
• autoclaving.

In our clinic for pre-sterilization cleaning (disinfection) of all contaminants, both from the tools and from the surfaces of the dental office, special disinfectant solutions Durr Dental (Germany) are used, which are divided according to the intended use, which allows you to qualitatively carry out all stages of disinfection. For small tools with an abrasive surface, an ultrasonic device with a disinfectant solution is used.

Pre-sterilization (disinfection)

We, at H-Clinic, use the MELAtherm 10 Evolution thermal disinfector. Compared to the traditional manual method of disinfection, the use of a thermal disinfector has several significant advantages:

1. Deep penetration: the composition of the chemical solutions that the thermal disinfector uses allows you to penetrate deep into the complex structures of dental equipment, thereby providing a more efficient treatment than the manual method.
2. Higher security level: The thermal disinfector applies the technology of automatic heating and disinfection of objects at high temperatures and pressure, which provides a stable and effective process of cleaning from pathogens without making mistakes due to the human factor, which can occur with the usual manual processing.
3. Standardization of the process: the fact of processing the instruments is automatically recorded in the thermal disinfector memory card, and also, no one can pick up the tool before the required programmed processing time.

Packaging in kraft bags with sterilization success indicators is carried out using a special device. The package is selected in accordance with the size of the tool. Packaged instruments are autoclaved, which guarantees 100% sterility.

Sterilization (autoclaving)

In our clinic, we use autoclaving, a sterilization method that uses high-pressure and high-temperature steam to kill pathogens. Steam autoclave kills all bacteria, spores, fungi, viruses and other pathogens in a short time.

Disinfection and sterilization are of paramount importance, we demonstrate our reputation to our patients. Before the reception of each patient, the surface treatment of the working area of the dentist is carried out in accordance with the standards of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of Ukraine. The surface treatment involves the use of special disinfectants with a wide range of action in the fight against microorganisms. The effect of these disinfectants comes out in a short time, so that the doctor’s working area can be prepared as soon as possible before the next patient is admitted.

Summary

One of the main criteria for quality medical care is safety, and it is high-quality sterilization and disinfection that provide it to both patients and clinic staff. Therefore, we do everything to ensure that all H-Clinic patients receive high-level service in the safest conditions.

Compliance with standards and standards and rules for dental clinics defined by law prevents the development and spread of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, which makes medical care safe.