Which sterilisation cycle is acceptable for the restorative dental handpieces?
Infection control in the ADC exam tests decision-making around exposure incidents, instrument classification, and decontamination protocols. This exam-level vignette tests your ability to work through clinical details and arrive at the correct management.
Dr Raj Mehta has just completed a root canal treatment on Patient A using hand K-files and rotary NiTi ProTaper files. He then has Patient B scheduled for a crown preparation requiring high-speed and low-speed handpieces. His dental assistant needs to reprocess the instruments from Patient A and prepare the handpieces for Patient B. Which sterilisation cycle is acceptable for the restorative dental handpieces?
- A. N cycle only
- B. N cycle or S cycle
- C. S cycle (with proven performance for handpieces) or B cycle
- D. B cycle only — handpieces always require pre-vacuum sterilisation
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For restorative dental handpieces: use either an S cycle steriliser with proven performance for handpieces, or a B cycle steriliser with vacuum cycles. It is NOT acceptable to use an N cycle steriliser since air removal from hollow areas is insufficient. Note: surgical handpieces MUST be packaged and sterilised using a B cycle only. (ICG p.72)
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