title: [Quality of the sterilization process in the dental practice].
abstract: A survey was performed among 249 Dutch dentists on the use and functioning of sterilizers in their practice and on the quality control of the sterilization process. 99% of the dentists use a sterilizer. Only 1% uses only a thermodesinfector. 7.3% of the sterilizers tested did not function properly, based on a microbiological test. 76% of the sterilizers are not serviced on a regular basis. These sterilizers show more often failures in the sterilization process. It is concluded that although over 92% of the sterilizers in Dutch dental offices do function well, improvement on the quality control of the sterilization process is feasible and necessary. Besides an annual service, a regular control of the sterilization process itself, e.g. by using biological indicators, in combination with physical and/or chemical monitoring, is one of het methods to achieve this.
authors.affiliation: Vakgroep Orale Microbiologie, Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA), Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Graaff
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Eijkman
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000382:microbiology*; D003813:Dentistry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009426:Netherlands; D011786:Quality Control; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents
vernacular_title: Kwaliteit van het sterilisatieproces in de tandartspraktijk.