How to Sterilize Dental Equipment

The sterilization of dental instruments is vital in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. Although professional dentists often have access to saturated steam and autoclave sterilization, those who practice at-home dentistry often do not. Adequate sterilization can be achieved using affordable chemicals and equipment in one's home. This method of sterilization is economically viable while effectively sterilizing used dental equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Goggles
• Lab coat
• Four baking trays
• Nonfoam detergent
• Nylon brush
• Iodine tincture
• Phenol-based disinfectant
• Pressure cooker
• Rubbing alcohol

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on gloves, goggles and lab coat before beginning. This is to prevent the potential spread of infectious disease.

• 2

  Set up the sterilization workstation using the glass baking trays and assorted disinfectants. The first baking dish will serve as the washing station. Fill this baking dish with hot water and detergent. Scrub the residue off of the used dental equipment in this dish using the nylon brush.

• 3

  Transfer the scrubbed dental equipment to the second glass pan. Fill this pan with hot water and add five to 10 drops of iodine tincture to the water. Continue scrubbing the equipment in this solution.

• 4

  Transfer the dental equipment to the third glass dish and fill it with a phenol-based cleaner solution. Phenol-based disinfectants often come in concentrate form, so dilute as per the product instructions. Allow the dental equipment to sit in this solution for 30 minutes.

• 5

  Remove the dental equipment from the phenol disinfectant and wash with cold running water. Place the dental equipment into a pressure cooker with enough water for 1 hour of pressure cooking. A pressure cooker is an adequate alternative to an autoclave for sterilization.

• 6

  Remove the pressure cooker steam regulator until all the steam pressure dissipates, allowing for removal of the lid. Fill the fourth glass pan with isopropyl alcohol and place the dental equipment into this solution. Allow the equipment to sit in this solution until it the liquid evaporates.

• 7

  Store the sterilized dental equipment in a clean area until the next usage.