Numerous instruments used in dentistry practices can come into contact with oral tissues, blood or saliva during procedures. Therefore, the reprocessing of reusable dental equipment for patient use constitutes one of the fundamental stages of infection control. The sterilisation process is not treated simply as placing instruments into a steriliser; it consists of consecutive steps such as transport, cleaning, inspection, packaging, sterilisation, monitoring and storage under appropriate conditions.

Dental instruments are divided into different groups according to their usage in terms of infection risk. Equipment such as surgical instruments and periodontal scalers that enter soft tissue or bone are classified in the critical category and must be heat-sterilised after each use. Most semi-critical equipment, such as mirrors and similar instruments that come into contact with the oral mucosa, are also sterilised using the same method when they are heat-resistant. For equipment that only comes into contact with intact skin, cleaning and disinfection may be sufficient depending on the method of use.

The first important stage before sterilisation is cleaning. If blood, saliva and other organic residues remaining on the surface of the instruments are not removed, the effectiveness of the sterilisation process can be adversely affected. For this reason, the equipment is first cleaned using appropriate methods, then rinsed and dried. Automated washer-disinfector systems or ultrasonic cleaners are among the methods that can be used at this stage. After cleaning is complete, instruments are inspected, packaged and prepared for the sterilisation process.

Packaging is also an important part of the process. Information such as the steriliser used, process cycle or load number, and the sterilisation date can be found on packages prepared before sterilisation. These records help to retrospectively track any potential sterilisation issues. The packaging material also acts as a barrier to prevent the instruments from becoming recontaminated after sterilisation.

The operation of the steriliser is also monitored regularly. The combined use of mechanical, chemical and biological indicators ensures that whether the device has reached the conditions required for sterilisation is assessed. Sterilisation records and device maintenance information are also among the traceable components of the infection control programme.

After the process is complete, it is recommended to store sterile instruments in closed or protected cabinets. Before use, packages must be checked for signs of compromise such as dampness, tears or punctures. If the integrity of the packaging is damaged, the equipment must be recleaned, repackaged and resterilised.

The sterilisation process in a dental hospital therefore constitutes a multi-stage safety chain carried out behind the clinical procedures presented to the patient. Implementing every step in the designated order and under record contributes to the sustainable execution of infection control within daily healthcare services.