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We conducted a survey of ultrasonic dental instrument cleaners used
in the San Francisco area. This survey was part of a cooperative project
sponsored by CDA, local dental societies, city agencies, and the US Environmental
Protection Agency.
What We Found
Our dental co-researchers who responded to the survey told us:
- Enzymes are by far the most common ingredient in ultrasonic
baths.
- Dental assistants typically clean used instruments either daily
or more often depending upon the office's instrument inventory,
number of patients
seen, and how much time is needed to process cleaned instruments
through the sterilizer.
- On average the survey respondents use 85 grams per day
of ultrasonic bath cleaner products per dentist. This weight excludes
water that
a dental assistant adds when mixing the product.
- These ultrasonic bath
cleaners contain an average 25 grams per day of hazardous ingredients
per dentist. The range in such ingredients is
from
zero (enzyme products) to 400 grams per day.
What We Recommend
These responses give us clues on how dental practices can reduce their
ultrasonic bath chemical use. Three primary strategies are:
- Consider enzyme based cleaners for this task. About 70% of the
survey respondents use this approach.
- Evaluate the active ingredients
and other chemicals in your bath solution. Choose products that
are least toxic yet are still able to accomplish
the intended purpose. For example, one should not use high-level
sterilants such as glutaraldehyde in an ultrasonic bath.
- If you choose to use a
disinfectant product in the ultrasonic bath, then mix it according
to manufacturer instructions. Adding too little
water
does produce a stronger solution, but that extra strength is
usually not needed.
More Information
Download the Instrument Cleaning Fact Sheet
Back to the Fact Sheet index
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Studies: Dental Chemical Use
