How Dental Assistants Can Influence Dental Instrument Longevity

A lot of work goes into each dental appointment before the patient even sits in the chair. And that’s because the way dental instruments are treated outside a person’s mouth can have just as much influence on their working life as what happens during clinical use. Dental assistants play an important role in protecting them through everyday handling, reprocessing and general care.

At One Dental, we’re an Australian-owned supplier of premium dental products, including an extensive range of instruments for dental professionals. We know how important it is to maintain their condition and performance and avoid unnecessary replacement costs. The good news is that there’s plenty dental assistants can do to help, and it starts with knowing the correct procedures.

Sometimes, instruments can sustain damage, and it doesn’t always happen during treatment. Once a procedure is complete, instruments are collected, transported and prepared for reprocessing. There are several points along the way where accidents can occur, such as drops, knocks against hard surfaces or being placed together in ways that put pressure on individual components. Even relatively minor impacts can affect its condition. This is why careful handling is so important throughout the entire process, not just while in a dentist’s hands.

And some may not be as robust as others. Fine explorer tips, the cutting edges of scalers and curettes and delicate working ends can be bent, chipped or blunted through contact with other tools or hard surfaces. Hinges can also be affected by excessive force, so extra care is essential.

There are several precautions dental assistants can take to help prevent this:

• Always place instruments in suitable trays or cassettes rather than loosely piling them together.

• Make sure delicate working ends are appropriately separated or protected.

• Avoid placing heavy items on delicate equipment, and move trays carefully to prevent contents from shifting or colliding.

• Check that any protective covers or holders are compatible with the equipment and its reprocessing requirements.

Instruments aren’t magically spotless after a dental procedure. Traces of blood, saliva and other organic material can remain, and once this residue hardens, it becomes more difficult to remove, especially from small grooves and other hard-to-reach areas. This is why dental practices have approved reprocessing procedures for dental assistants to follow. These typically include measures to prevent debris from becoming firmly attached, although that doesn’t necessarily mean everything has to be thoroughly cleaned while the patient is still in the dental chair.

And not all dental instruments have the same cleaning requirements. The manufacturer’s instructions will specify what’s necessary and safe for each product, whether that’s manual cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning or the use of a washer-disinfector, as well as compatible detergents, temperatures and other processing conditions. Getting any of this wrong can affect the surface finish or contribute to corrosion. Essentially, the process must be effective without compromising the materials or construction of the instrument.

Areas that require a little extra care and attention include hinges, joints, serrations and other narrow or recessed spaces, as they can retain material that isn’t easily visible. Where required by the manufacturer’s instructions, some instruments may even need to be opened or disassembled to ensure all parts are properly cleaned.

It’s also important to remember that sterilisation is not a substitute for this step, as residual organic material can interfere with its effectiveness.

Which brings us to sterilisation itself. Dental instruments are designed to withstand repeated cycles, but exposure to high temperatures and moisture can gradually affect certain materials and components, particularly when conditions fall outside the manufacturer’s specifications.

Always use validated sterilisation cycles that are compatible with the particular instrument, including the correct temperature and exposure time.

One of the biggest concerns with storage is moisture. Prolonged exposure can cause metal surfaces to corrode, stain or otherwise deteriorate. Instruments need to be adequately dried before packaging, which must also be appropriate for the sterilisation method. Using unsuitable materials, employing incorrect packaging techniques or overloading can interfere with the process and prevent proper drying.

Then, instruments need to be stored in conditions that preserve their physical condition and, where applicable, the integrity of their sterile packaging. Storage areas should be clean and protected from excess humidity and dust, with unnecessary handling kept to a minimum. Packaged items should be arranged so their wrappers aren’t crushed, punctured or otherwise compromised. Good organisation also makes it easier for dental assistants to locate what they need without constantly disturbing other equipment.

If packaging is damaged or its integrity is in doubt, the instrument should be managed according to the practice’s reprocessing procedures rather than assumed to be sterile.

Even with the best care, dental instruments won’t last forever. Dental assistants are often in a good position to notice when they need attention. Some signs to watch for include:

• Corrosion, pitting or other visible deterioration.
• Bent, chipped or damaged working ends.
• Loose or misaligned joints.
• Cutting edges that have become dull or blunt.
• Changes in how an instrument feels or functions during use.

Any concerns should be reported promptly, and potentially damaged equipment should be taken out of circulation for assessment. Depending on its condition and the manufacturer’s recommendations, an instrument may benefit from sharpening, maintenance or professional servicing. In other cases, replacement will be the safest and most practical option.

Dental assistants have an important part to play in protecting a practice’s investment in quality instruments and keeping them fit for clinical use. But it’s a shared responsibility, and everyone needs the right training, clear procedures and a consistent approach to instrument care.

At One Dental, we create, manufacture, import and distribute an extensive range of premium dental products, including instruments for a variety of clinical applications and our XpressEdge™ Sharpener for fast, precise sharpening. You can browse our range online or speak with a member of our team for more information.