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Questionable infection control procedures

Ask the Expert ForumCategory: Infection ControlQuestionable infection control procedures
S asked 2 weeks ago
I was recently hired at a new office that has a questionable sterilization process. They keep their instruments in perforated plastic cassettes which are not wrapped for sterilization. The cassettes are then stored inside the drawers in the operatories, still unwrapped. They don't use indicator strips; they only use a tiny strip of indicator tape on the autoclave tray per each load. The cassettes are not dated or marked in any way to indicate they've been sterilized. Personally, I feel this is subpar for infection control especially during a pandemic. It is also not meeting OSHA's guidelines for instrument sterilization. Would you feel safe treating patients with these instruments? If not, how would you address it with the dentist?

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