Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings—2003
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Slide 54: Critical Instruments
Slide Text
- Penetrate mucous membranes or contact bone, the bloodstream, or
other normally sterile tissues (of the mouth)
- Heat sterilize between uses or use sterile single-use, disposable
devices
- Examples include surgical instruments, scalpel blades, periodontal scalers, and surgical dental burs
Speaker Notes
There are three categories of patient-care items depending on their intended use and the potential risk of disease transmission.
Critical items penetrate soft tissue or contact bone, the bloodstream, or other normally sterile tissues of the mouth. They have the highest risk of transmitting infection and should be heat-sterilized between patient uses. Alternatively, use sterile, single-use disposable devices.
- Examples include surgical instruments, periodontal scalers, scalpel blades, and surgical dental burs.
Page last reviewed: September 22, 2009
Page last modified: April 26, 2005
Content source:
Division of Oral Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion
