Cleaning dental equipment properly is crucial to the health of your patients. All equipment must be scrubbed to remove visible debris first, then sterilized. Cleaning instruments can be done by hand, with detergent and water, or with special equipment. Cleaning your instruments removes organisms and debris that if left on the equipment will interfere with the sterilization process. Sterilization is important even if your equipment looks clean, because it is the only way to kill harmful germs.


Clean and instruments immediately after you use them. If you cannot clean them right away, soak them in a disinfectant to prevent debris from hardening.

Rinse clean equipment with water to remove residual detergent.

Place clean equipment in a pan and fill it with water. All equipment and tools must be fully covered by the water.

Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Boil for fifteen minutes, using the clock to keep time.

Let the equipment cool, with the lid on.

Drain the water from the pan. Leave the clean equipment in the pan with the lid on until you are ready to use it.

Remove clean and sterilized tools with forceps.