Testing of several methods of sterilization in dental practice

The performance of autoclaves, dry-heat ovens and chemical solutions used for sterilization of dental instruments has been tested. Two autoclaves, 2 boiling-water devices and 27 dry-heat ovens serving 73 dental clinics were examined. Biological tests and TST [time, steam, temperature] strip tests were conducted. One dry-heat oven and the two boiling-water devices failed to produce adequate sterilization. An assortment of 1 00 dental instruments and equipment that had been sterilized by chemical means were randomly selected and examined for the presence of bacteria. Biological tests were used. Sixty samples were found to be growth-positive. Chemical sterilization was shown to be inadequate for dental practice