Title: Disinfect and/or sterilize dental instruments.
Course: Dental Careers I (14054-I) > Section: Performing Infection-Control Techniques

Disinfection should include the selection and use of chemicals (e.g., low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level disinfectants) that destroy or deactivate most species of pathogenic microorganisms.

Sterilization should include the destruction of all microorganisms using heat.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What three chemical disinfectants are most used in dental offices? Why?
- What is the minimum contact time for a surface disinfectant?
- What agency regulates disinfectants?
- What three methods of sterilizing are most used in dental offices? Why?