Dental Laboratory Asepsis

What are the 10 basic principles of infection control?

Patient screening, Universal precautions, Training of employees, Aseptic technique, Personal protection, Instrument recirculation, Disinfection, Equipment asepsis, Dental laboratory asepsis, Waste management. Mnemonic: Patients Usually Train And Protect Instruments During Every Lab Work.

Why is dental laboratory asepsis important?

Prevents cross-contamination; CDC requires blood/saliva to be cleaned from lab materials before polishing/grinding appliances. Mnemonic: Lab = Just as clean as chair.

What patient & service details must appear on a lab prescription?

Patient name/case number, type of service/prosthesis/appliance, material type.

What tooth & scheduling details must be included?

Shade (tooth color), mold number, return date.

What dentist details must be on the prescription?

Dentist’s name, address, phone, license number, signature/initials. Mnemonic: Name–Service–Material / Shade–Mold–Date / Dentist–Signature.

What must clinician do before sending a lab case?

Disinfect, Dry, Wrap, Mark. Mnemonic: DDWM = Dentists Don’t Work Messy.

How should incoming lab cases be handled?

Clean and disinfect before handling/inserting into patient’s mouth; discard packaging immediately. Mnemonic: Clean first, trash fast.

What disinfectant standard is required for incoming lab cases?

EPA-approved hospital disinfectant with mycobactericidal (tuberculocidal) activity. Mnemonic: EPA = Extra Patient Assurance.

Why can’t most dental prostheses be heat sterilized?

Carry infectious microorganisms but can’t withstand heat sterilization (cycle + cooldown). Mnemonic: Prosthesis = Too fragile for heat.

What is the preferred technique for disinfecting prostheses/appliances?

Thorough cleaning + immersion in a disinfectant for at least 15 minutes, then rinse. Mnemonic: Clean + Soak 15.

How should heavily soiled prostheses be disinfected?

Ultrasonic cleaner, 3 minutes → rinse under running water 30 seconds. Mnemonic: 3 in, 30 out.

If a prosthesis must be returned to the lab, what disinfection is required?

Soak 10–30 minutes in disinfectant; avoid sodium hypochlorite if metal (corrosion risk). Mnemonic: 10–30 soak, no bleach for metal.

What disinfectants are recommended for full dentures?

Iodophors = Yes, NaOCl = Yes, Glutaraldehyde = No.

For removable plastic partials?

Iodophors = Yes, NaOCl = Yes (≤10 min), Glutaraldehyde = No.

For fixed prostheses?

Glutaraldehyde = Yes, NaOCl = Yes (≤10 min), Iodophors = No.

For stone casts?

Iodophors = Yes, NaOCl = No, Glutaraldehyde = No.

For wax rims/bites?

Iodophors = Yes, NaOCl = No, Glutaraldehyde = No. Mnemonic: Dentures = I+S; Partials = I+S (time limit); Fixed = G+S; Stone = I only; Wax = I only.

Why must impressions be disinfected?

Microbes survive outside the mouth; bacteria in gypsum up to 7 days; impressions can cross-contaminate. Mnemonic: 7-day stowaways.

Recommended disinfectants for alginate, polysulfide, silicone impressions?

Glutaraldehyde = Yes, Iodophors = Yes, Sodium hypochlorite = Yes. Mnemonic: APS = Always Positive Set.

Recommended disinfectants for polyethers, reversible hydrocolloids, compounds?

Glutaraldehyde = No, Iodophors = Yes, Sodium hypochlorite = Yes. Mnemonic: PRC = No G, Yes I+S.

How should elastomeric impressions be disinfected?

Immersion in disinfectants ≤10 minutes. Mnemonic: Elastics = Easy 10.

How should alginate impressions be disinfected?

Rinse, spray with ADA-recommended disinfectant, seal in zip-bag, keep moist with diluted NaOCl, iodophor, or glutaraldehyde. Mnemonic: Rinse–Spray–Seal.

How should agar (reversible hydrocolloid) impressions be disinfected?

Immersion in: Iodophor 1:213, NaOCl 1:10 (2%), Acid glut 1:4, Glut + phenolic buffer 1:16. Mnemonic: ISAG = I, Sodium, Acid Glut, Glut buffer.

How should wax rims/bites be disinfected?

Spray–wipe–spray with iodophor, keep wet; can also immerse in NaOCl or iodophor. Mnemonic: Spray, Stay Wet, Soak.

How should bite registrations (ZOE or compound) be disinfected?

Spray with EPA-registered hospital-level tuberculocidal disinfectant; avoid chlorine on ZOE; rinse after disinfection. Mnemonic: EPA, No Chlorine, Rinse.

When can dental casts be disinfected?

Only after final set; spray with iodophor. Mnemonic: Set, then Spray.

How should rubber bowls & spatulas be disinfected?

Spray–wipe–spray with glutaraldehyde, phenolics, or iodophors. Mnemonic: GPI Spray.

What are examples of miscellaneous chairside lab items requiring disinfection?

Articulators, facebows, plane guides, Boley gauges, torches, shade guides. Mnemonic: A Funny Patient Bought Two Shades.

How should shade guides be disinfected?

Iodophors → wipe with water/alcohol; Glutaraldehyde/phenolics → rinse thoroughly. Mnemonic: I = Wipe, G/P = Rinse Proper.

What is pumice pan used for, and why risky?

Holds polishing slurry for dentures/appliances; reused across patients → cross-contamination risk. Mnemonic: Pumice = Polish + Patients = Pathogen risk.

Why are pathogens in pumice dangerous?

Can infect immunocompromised patients; transmit infections into sockets/wounds. Mnemonic: Pumice = Pathogen Passage.

How can cross-contamination be reduced when using pumice?

Wear gloves, mask, eyewear; use fresh pumice slurry with disinfectant (1:10 bleach). Mnemonic: GME + Fresh Mix.

How should reusable rag wheels be sterilized?

Wash, bag, autoclave (steam); canister tops loose; do not use chemical vapor sterilizer. Mnemonic: Rag = Wash, Bag, Steam — No Vapor.

How should contaminated solid waste be disposed of?

Sealed, impervious bags; follow state/local regulations. Mnemonic: Blood Waste = Bag & Bye-Bye.