Appendix 1

Acknowledgement

“Decontamination of impression materials and prosthetic and orthodontic appliances” from BDA Advice Sheet A12 “Infection Control in Dentistry”. Reproduced with permission from the British Dental Association (www.bda.org). Please note that these guidelines are subject to regular review.

This is an example of the advice given by National Dental Organisations to dental practitioners about cross-infection. In addition to the generic measures mentioned in this book the reader would be well advised to seek such national guidance as this will change from time to time.

Decontamination of impression

Materials and Prosthetic and Orthodontic Appliances. Extract from Advice Sheet A12: Infection Control in Dentistry, revised April 2006, reproduced with kind permission from the British Dental Association.

The responsibility for ensuring impressions and appliances have been cleaned and disinfected prior to dispatch to the laboratory lies solely with the dentist –

• Immediately on removal from the mouth, the impression or appliance should be rinsed under running water to remove saliva, blood and debris. Continue the process until it is visibly clean. If an appliance is grossly contaminated, it should be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath containing detergent and then rinsed. The impression or appliance should be disinfected according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Generic materials such as sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) may no longer be suitable for disinfecting impressions unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer. Disinfectants should not be sprayed onto the surface of the impression; it lessens the effectiveness and creates an inhalation risk. Immersion of the impression is recommended. The impression or appliance should be rinsed again in water before sending to the laboratory accompanied by a confirmation that it has been disinfected.

Products that are suitable for the disinfection of impressions or appliances are CE marked to demonstrate conformity to European Directives. The manufacturer’s recommendations for the dilution of the disinfectant and immersion time must be followed.