Disinfection of Instruments & Equipment: Our Commitment to Safety

Introduction

At Bayswater Dental Clinic, patient safety is our top priority. A crucial part of that is rigorous cross-infection control—especially when it comes to disinfecting instruments and clinical equipment. This page explains how we uphold the highest standards to protect you and our staff from infection risk.

Why Disinfection Matters

Prevents transmission of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens
Ensures every patient is treated with sterile or sanitized instruments
Supports a safe, hygienic environment in every treatment room
Meets regulatory standards and professional guidelines

In dentistry and facial rejuvenation settings, even tiny lapses in instrument hygiene can pose health risks. That’s why we adhere to strict, audited procedures.

Our Disinfection Protocols & Standards

1. Instrument Cleaning & Pre-Sterilisation

Each instrument goes through a multi-step cleaning process before disinfection:

Pre-rinse / soaking: Instruments are placed in enzymatic solution or cleaning baths immediately after use to loosen debris.
Manual or ultrasonic cleaning: We use ultrasonic baths or mechanical cleaners to remove residual matter from instrument surfaces and crevices.
Rinsing & drying: Thorough rinsing with filtered water followed by drying to avoid waterborne contamination.

2. Sterilisation Methods

After cleaning, instruments are sterilised using validated techniques:

Steam sterilisation (autoclaving) — the primary method for most metal or heat-tolerant tools
Dry heat or chemical vapour sterilisation — used when appropriate for instruments that cannot tolerate moist heat
High-level disinfection — for equipment or components that cannot be autoclaved but require strong microbial kill

Each sterilisation unit is monitored with biological indicators, chemical integrators, and regular validations to ensure consistent performance.

3. Storage & Handling

Sterile instrument packs are stored in sealed pouches or containers until use
Storage areas are kept clean, dry, and protected from possible contamination
Each pack is labelled with sterilisation indication, date, operator, and expiry (if applicable)
Instruments are only opened in treatment rooms immediately before use

4. Surface & Equipment Disinfection

Beyond instruments, we disinfect all surfaces and reusable equipment:

High-touch surfaces (door handles, chairs, control panels) are cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants
Interfaces & controls (light handles, trays, delivery systems) are wiped before and after each patient
Reusable devices (e.g. handpieces, suction tips) follow a validated disinfection/sterilisation cycle
Single-use items (e.g. disposable tips, caps, gloves) are discarded after use

5. Monitoring, Audits & Staff Training

We maintain logs of steriliser cycles, maintenance, and results
Regular audits help ensure protocols are followed consistently
All clinical staff undergo training in infection control, cleaning procedures, and handling of contaminated materials
Policies are updated in line with best practice and health authority guidelines

What This Means for You as a Patient

Your treatment tools are either sterile or thoroughly disinfected before use
There is no reuse of single-use items
The risk of cross-contamination is kept to an absolute minimum
You can expect a clean, safe clinic environment from reception to treatment rooms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does every instrument get sterilised after one use?

Yes. Every reusable instrument undergoes a validated cleaning and sterilisation cycle before being used again.
What about equipment that can’t be autoclaved?

We use alternative high-level disinfection or sterilisation techniques suitable for those items, always following safety standards.
How do you know sterilisation is effective?

We monitor with biological indicators (spore tests) and chemical test strips, and maintain rigorous logs to verify proper sterilisation.
Are single-use instruments used?

Yes — when possible, single-use items are used to remove risk entirely. After use, they are safely disposed of.
Can patients request to see how instruments are handled?

Yes — we welcome your questions about our hygiene practices. Transparency is part of our responsibility.