Surface Disinfection and Treatment Room Preparation

EPA-registered, intermediate-level hospital disinfectant with tuberculocidal action. Recommended for disinfecting surfaces that have been soiled with potentially infectious patient material. Usually effective within 5-10 minutes. Must be mixed with soft or distilled water (inactivated by hard water). Contains iodine and may corrode or discolor certain metals, or may temporarily cause red or yellow stains on clothing and other surfaces

Iodophors

Not effective in the presence of bioburden (such as blood and saliva), and the rapid rate of evaporation limits the antimicrobial activity. Damaging to certain materials, such as plastics and vinyl, which are prevalent in the dental environment. Not recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), the CDC, and the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP)

Alcohol

High-level disinfectant and sterilant. It can be used as a liquid sterilant when the immersion time is greatly increased. Times for disinfection range from 10 to 90 minutes.

Glutaraldehyde

Classified as an intermediate-level disinfectant and the primary active ingredient is ortho-phenylphenol. Fast-acting, economical, and broad-spectrum disinfectant

Sodium hypochlorite

Intended to kill disease-producing microorganisms that remain on the surface after precleaning

Disinfection

Used for chemicals that are applied to inanimate surfaces, such as countertops and dental equipment

Disinfectant

The cleaning that must be done before disinfecting. Reduces the number of microbes and removes the blood and/or saliva (bioburden). Water or soap may be used, but a disinfectant with detergent is more efficient

Precleaning

Used to prevent contamination on the surface and does not need to be cleaned and disinfected between patients. Need to be resistant to fluid to keep microorganisms in saliva, blood, and other liquids from soaking through to contact the surface underneath

Surface barriers

Other name for blood and/or saliva

Bioburden

Used for antimicrobial agents that are applied to living tissue

Antiseptic

Chemicals that are classified for use as a sterilant or high-level disinfection. Destroy all microbial life, including bacterial endospores. Time for sterilization can range from 6 hours to 30 hours. Most of these chemicals are toxic and can irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs. They are to be used for immersion (soaking) of heat-sensitive items and should never be used as surface disinfectants

Liquid chemical sterilants and high-level disinfectants

EPA-registered, intermediate-level hospital disinfectant with a broad-spectrum activity, meaning that it kills a wide range of microbes. Diluted and used for disinfection, provided the surface has first been thoroughly cleaned. Can be used on metal, glass, rubber, or plastic.

Synthetic phenol compounds

The process by which all forms of life are destroyed

Sterilization

Effective, rapid-acting environmental surface disinfectant or chemical sterilant

Chlorine dioxide

A chemical used in high-level disinfectants is effective in achieving high-level disinfection within 12 minutes at room temperature.

Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA)