4 ms·

> Or do you have a problem with the cleaning tools the dental hygienist uses They open a sealed set of new tools for each patient at all of the places I've bee

• cvburgess 13y ago
  They are not "new" - they are simply cleaned and resealed in packaging. It would be crazy expensive to only use these instruments once.
  • DanBC 13y ago
    They'd move to disposable items which would be much cheaper. But, even then, people want to reuse items. (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/ShowRecord.asp?LinkFrom=OAI&ID=21998000484#.UksGv9KRC0I http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/ShowRecord.asp?LinkFrom=OAI...) Luckily there seems to be lots of research around reusable instruments. (https://www.evidence.nhs.uk/search?q=disposable%20instruments&ps=50 https://www.evidence.nhs.uk/search?q=disposable%20instrument...)
• kaib 13y ago
  Many of the tools are actually reused again and again. However, between uses they are sterilized using an autoclave and then immediately put into sealed bags to maintain sterility.
  • kaybe 13y ago
    Not quite, you have to sterilize the things in the bag.
    • henryaj 13y ago
      Yep. The bags usually have an indicator to show that they've been properly autoclaved (e.g. have reached the required temperature and pressure for enough time).
• aestra 13y ago
  Just because the bags are sealed doesn't mean the tools have never been used. They are cleaned, sealed in bags, and put in an autoclave to be sterilized. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave