Best Practices for Single-Use (Disposable) Devices

https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/dental-ipc-faqs/single-use-devices.html

Main idea

• Single-use devices = one patient, one procedure, then discard

• HCP should practice this

Single use devices

• Aka disposable devices

• Use on 1 patient on 1 single procedure = discard

Characteristics

• Not heat tolerant

• Cannot be cleaned or sterilized

• Usually says disposable

If there are no reprocessing instructions

Reprocessing instructions

• How to sterilize — reusable devices between patient

If none

• Consider device as single use

Reusable alternatives

Some disopoable devices have reusable heat—tolerant alternatives

examples

• Prophylaxis angles

• High-volume evacuator (HVE) tips

• Impression trays

• Dental burs

• Air-water syringe tips

These reusable versions must be cleaned and heat sterilized before reuse.

Reusable devices that can be disposable

• Some instruments are hard to clean bc of their design and should be considered as single use

Examples

• Dental burs

• Endodontic files

• Broaches

Medical waste needs special disposal

• Medical waste needs special disposal because they have greater infection risk

Example

• Solid waste w/ blood or saliva

• Gauze with blood

• Gauze with dried blood that can be released when wet

• Sharp items (needles, scalpel)