Infection Control Measures in Private Dental Clinics in Lebanon

Table 3

Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices among private Lebanese dental clinics (2015).

Questions related to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization	Number of respondents	%
Method of cleaning used instruments
Manual washing	332	79.0
Ultrasonic cleaner	71	16.9
Washer disinfector	35	8.3
Timing of immersion of the used instruments in decontaminant solution
Before washing	225	65.0
After washing	121	35.0
Kind of sterilizer used
Dry heat	133	31.7
Autoclave	273	65.0
Use of heat sterilization for handpieces	98	27.7
Use of heat sterilization for burs	226	65.3
Use of heat sterilization for endodontic files	210	60.3
Use of wrapping bags for instruments sterilization	250	70.4
Covering computer keyboards in clinical areas	104	29.8
Use of surface barriers for dental unit surfaces	193	55.1
Use of any surface disinfectant for routine wiping	278	81.0
Time interval between patients on the same dental chair
<5 minutes	130	36.0
5–15 minutes	189	52.4
>15 minutes	42	11.6
Disinfect impressions before sending to the laboratory	132	38.4