title: Can oil lubricated dental handpieces be sterilized?: part 1. The problem.
abstract: HTM 01-05 guidelines state that decontamination of handpieces remains a challenge, in particular the lumen, due to oil impeding access for steam sterilization. This paper discusses important aspects of cleaning and sterilization of the handpiece lumen and critically appraises the literature found on this topic. The paper is not intended to cover precleaning methods in detail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The complex structure of handpiece lumens makes them difficult to sterilize. Current knowledge of this subject is necessary for general dental practitioners to decide on investment in new equipment correctly, which has been validated by the manufacturer, in order to comply with HTM 01-05 guidelines.
authors.forename: Ravinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kudhail
mesh_terms: D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008153:Lubrication; D009821:Oils; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D009821:Oils; D013227:Steam