title: Assessment of the effectiveness of dental sterilizers using biological monitors.
abstract: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of steam, chemical vapor, and dry heat sterilizers, over a three-year period, in dental operatories subscribing to the University of British Columbia's sterilization monitoring service. A total of 4,579 sterilizer loads were tested. The results demonstrated an overall failure rate of 4.4 per cent. Individual failure rates for each type of sterilizer were: chemiclaves, 4.9 per cent; steam autoclaves, 2.3 per cent; and dry heat ovens, 7.9 per cent. In 38 per cent of these cases, the reasons for failure could be attributed to a definite cause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McErlane
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Rosebush
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Waterfield
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000592:standards*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D001411:Geobacillus stearothermophilus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods