1.3.4 - Central Sterilization

Central Sterilization (CS) is on the first floor and is responsible for sterilizing all items related to patient care in the college. The primary sterilization method is steam under vacuum pressure.

Routine sterilization of instruments, burs, and handpieces is mandatory for safe patient care in all clinic areas. Before using dental instruments or equipment for patient care, all students must confirm their equipment has been sterilized by evaluating the sterilization packaging. All patient-used instruments must be stored in Central Sterilization when not in use. Items used on patients can NEVER be stored in the student's assigned clinic locker.

• No outside equipment can be used in the clinic unless it has been reviewed and approved by the Clinic Materials Committee.
• Students may not check out any equipment, instruments, or handpieces for a classmate. If a student picks up instruments for a classmate, the instruments will be checked out to the student at CS, and the student will be responsible for returning the instruments.
• Students are responsible for all instruments or equipment checked out in their name. The student will be responsible for the replacement costs for any unreturned or broken items.
• Students may not keep patient care items in their locker; they must be checked in and stored in Central Sterilization or the Clinic Dispensary.  

The instrument delivery/pickup system in Central Sterilization is designed to minimize cross-contamination. This process is as follows: 

1. Pick up sterilized burs, handpieces, cassettes, and other equipment from the Sterile Instrument Pickup window (Room 131A). 

2. Follow the process below for returning contaminated instruments to the dirty carts, found in each clinic.

3. DO NOT Bag:

   1. Operative instrument cassette

   2. Perio instrument cassette

   3. Handpiece cassette - Disinfect with a disinfectant wipe; then run the handpiece through the cleaner and lubricant machine located in the dry labs.

   4. Exam instrument cassette

4. Bag:

   1. Ultrasonic inserts

   2. All bur blocks into one bag

   3. Rubber dam kit including punch, forceps, frame, Paladent force, Paladent pin tweezers, Paladent Ring (1), and 3 rubber dam clamps.

   4. Bite fork

Central Sterilization has automated washers to clean, high-level disinfect, and dry instruments in cassettes. Cassettes are bagged and sterilized. The sterilization cycles are approximately 40-50 minutes. Sterilized instruments are stored in storage bins.

Students will acquire instrument kits issued by Central Sterilization on the day of their patient's appointment. Students may only check out sterilized instruments for patient care on the day of the appointment and not before.

EACH STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Placing contaminated instruments into dirty bins within each clinic for the Central Sterilization staff to transport for sterilization.
• Students will be required to replace any lost instruments as soon as possible.
• Informing a staff member in Central Sterilization of a broken or defective instrument so it can be replaced.
• Verify that any visible debris is removed from their instruments before packaging in the clinic.
• Ensuring all contaminated instruments are secure inside the cassettes to prevent bloodborne pathogen exposures or injuries to the Central Sterilization staff.  

The College of Dentistry provides student kits/instruments for the dental students.

1. Exam Kit
2. Operative Kits
3. Perio Cassettes
4. Electric Handpieces
5. Endodontic Kits
6. Rubber Dam Kits
7. Digital Studio Kits
8. Bur Blocks
9. Ultrasonic Tips
10. Impression Trays

Dental Hygiene students own their instruments.