Surface Decontamination: Guidance and Practice

Disinfection is the cleaning of surfaces and equipment using chemical processes where heat is not suitable. This process is intended to reduce harmful microorganisms; it does not usually destroy spores.

Surfaces such as worktops and equipment will be subject to aerosol contamination during dental procedures.

Air turbines, ultrasonic scalers and triple air syringes produce water sprays that can carry potentially harmful bacteria into the atmosphere which lands on work surfaces, equipment, patients and staff.

Used instruments placed on work surfaces can cause contamination, as does touching surfaces with contaminated gloved hands.

Areas around the spittoon can be a risk area from bodily fluid contamination.

Decontamination rooms where used instruments are processed to make them sterile need to be separated into dirty and clean work areas to prevent clean instruments from becoming recontaminated.