Practice Tips #106: The CDC and Hygiene Handpieces

The CDC published their u201cSummary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settingsu201d in 2016 and mentiones changes to hygiene handpiece guidelines. Despite using the u201csummaryu201d in this 44 page document, the CDC outlines rules for infection control in the dental office. They also summarize previously published guidelines.

Guideline Changes

This month, we' d like to discuss the dramatic changes to the guidelines for sterilization of dental handpieces.Page 14 of the CDC document specifies (emphasis added): p>

u201cDental handpieces and associated attachments, including low - speed motors and reusable prophylaxis angles, should always be heat sterilized between patients and not high level or surface disinfected.u201d

What does this mean to you? You cannot re - use a handpiece on a patient unless the entire handpiece and its components have been heat sterilized.This includes slow - speed handpieces ( and components ) used for prophylaxis.

Unfortunately, several popular hygiene handpieces on the market do not conform to this specification.Handpieces with any drive component that cannot be heat sterilized are for personal or veterinary use.They are also suitable for use outside of the country (such as for mission trips). p>

Drive mechanisms that aren 't heat tolerant (non-autoclavable) are encountered with u201cstand-aloneu201d electric units. All systems must conform to the new standard. Autoclave any component with any type of gear, drive shaft, or similar mechanism.

Fortunately, most air-driven handpieces on the market are fully autoclavable and have been for decades. Periodic removal of motors and other components should already be a part of your officeu2019s routine handpiece maintenance.u00a0Now you just need to increase the frequency.

Why Did Guidelines Change?

The CDC guidelines were the result of several studies (mostly conducted by various branches of the US military). They showed contaminants had a tendency to work through the drive mechanisms of slow-speed handpieces and contaminate all of the components (even those that do not enter the oral cavity). These studies showed a high probability of contamination of all handpiece components. The risk of contamination is very real.

In the infection control guidelines, the CDC goes on to state: u201cAlthough these devicesu00a0are considered semi-criticalu2026u201d and a major handpiece manufacturer has seized upon this statement to claim that their motor does not need to be heat sterilized as it is non-critical.

However, all motors are non-critical devices. That is in the nature of a motor. Under normal circumstances, a motor should never contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin. The CDC explicitly spells out that handpieces u201cincluding low-speed motors,u201d must be heat sterilized.

Heat sterilize motors regardless of their standing: critical, semi-critical, or non-critical. Do NOT attempt to skirt infection control guidelines based on a loose interpretation of a technicality. This is a dangerous prospect and not something we can recommend, nor support.

Staying Compliant

We recommend reviewing Practice Tips #71u00a0andu00a0Practice Tips #72 for definitions of a motor, a handpiece, and an attachment to further clarify why the CDCu2019s statement regarding motors is so important.

Sinceu00a0most handpieces on the market are already autoclavable, there are a number of economical solutions available to help you remain compliant. American Dental Accessories carries many affordable, reliable, and autoclavable hygiene handpieces.u00a0

Economic handpieces, like the American Hygienistu00a0or the Vector MICROLite, are fully autoclavable to help your hygiene department stay compliant.

Feel free to call or e-mail us with any questions you have pertaining to the guidelines, as well.

There are a number of other developments in this latest document from the CDC. We recommend downloading and taking some time to familiarize yourself with it, so you can remain compliant in all aspects of infection control.

In addition to the new information pertaining to handpieces, the CDC summary includes convenient infection control checklists for use by your office staff and other helpful tools. Please clicku00a0here to visit the CDC disinfection & sterilization guidelines. Make certain your office staff is familiar with all updates such as these.