In the dental industry, instrument reprocessing is a critical aspect of ensuring patient safety. In the wake of the pandemic, upholding infection control and high levels of hygiene are non-negotiable when it comes to protecting patient’s and staff’s health and safety in healthcare environments. Therefore, when cleaning and reprocessing dental instruments, careful considerations must be made to ensure patient hygiene remains a top priority. As technology advances, dental professionals are presented with a choice between auto and manual instrument reprocessing methods for their practice.
Efficiency and compliance
In busy dental practices, time is of the essence. Attending to multiple patients a day, dental practitioners and nurses may require several different instruments per patient, requiring a hygienic and thorough cleaning after each use. Not only is hand-cleaning instruments more time-consuming, but it also provides a margin for error as any leftover residue, such as bone, flesh, or blood, can pose health risks and legal issues. With a washer disinfector, all used instruments can be placed into the machine, cleaning them all efficiently in a short amount of time. Afterward, they can be transferred into an autoclave for sterilisation. This process is more efficient and eliminates the risk of nurses injuring themselves on the instruments.
This also ensures the thorough cleaning and disinfection of instruments in accordance with HTM 01/05 (in relation to decontamination in the dental practice) and enhances overall practice. Automatic reprocessing enhances patient confidence by minimising human error and providing traceability. Traceability is vital for ensuring that proper procedures are followed, industry standards are met, and any issues are identified if they arise, delivering peace of mind that infection control and accountability are upheld at all times.
Financial perspective
Washing numerous instruments several times a day by hand can be timely, and despite the misconception, hand washing can use more water than a washer disinfector. Hand-measuring detergent can also be more costly in the long term, as incorrect dosing can lead to an overuse of detergent.
While the initial investment of a washer disinfector can have a high upfront cost, the long-term benefits, including efficiency, durability, and reduced risks, ultimately outweigh the costs. For smaller businesses looking to access premium commercial machines without a significant upfront cost, rental options provide the perfect solution. With more practices looking to expand their business through other means, including nonsurgical aesthetics such as Botox and fillers, investing in washer-disinfectors will become more beneficial as they are adaptable to other accessories, meaning practices would benefit in the long term.
Considerations for practice size
For smaller practices, the decision to hand-wash instruments may be based on necessity due to space constraints, which could impact the layout and installation of equipment. However, automatic reprocessing equipment, like washer disinfectors, requires minimal space and facilities such as electricity, water, and drainage, making it adaptable to various practice sizes. For example, countertop machines are now available for practices with limited space; allowing businesses to uphold the highest standards of hygiene, regardless of their size.
Environmental impact
Sustainability is a responsibility that every dental practice needs to address if we are to hit the UK’s targets of net zero by 2050. The industry is known for its large carbon footprint, as research conducted by Public Health England (PHE) shows NHS dental service emissions are three per cent of the overall NHS carbon footprint.
Dental practices looking to reduce their environmental footprint should consider investing in appliances that reduce their use of energy and water; this is where commercial equipment can help. Automatic methods, such as a washer disinfector, are more eco-friendly, providing precise water usage, temperature control, and chemical dosing.
Moving away from single-use plastic is a major step for practices looking to improve their sustainability. This can include swapping single-use plastic instruments for reusable instruments, which can be hygienically cleaned and reprocessed through washer-disinfectors. This approach is also more cost-effective in the long term, reducing the amount of single-use items bought in bulk.
Concluding the debate
For dental practices looking to futureproof their business, prioritising hygiene is crucial. Implementing washer disinfectors not only improves the overall efficiency of dental practices but also reinforces their commitment to patient safety, infection control, and compliance with evolving industry standards.