In 2016 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a companion to the 2003 Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings. The summary contains additional topics and information relevant to dental infection prevention and control and includes the following statement:
Dental handpieces and associated attachments, including low-speed motors and reusable prophylaxis angles, should always be heat sterilized between patients and not highlevel or surface disinfected. Although these devices are considered semicritical, studies have shown that their internal surfaces can become contaminated with patient materials during use. If these devices are not properly cleaned and heat sterilized, the next patient may be exposed to potentially infectious materials.1
Low Speed Air motors from Brasseler USA are fully autoclavable and compliant with the CDC Infection Prevention Guidelines.
Brasseler recommends the following steps after each patient for maintaining and sterilization of your Brasseler Low Speed Air motor including the LS22K and Hygiene Pro Air:
- Wash the air motor under warm water and clean with a soft brush.
- Insert PANA Spray Plus tip into the drive air hole of the motor and spray for 2-3 seconds.
- Purge the motor of excess lubrication either via an air station or by returning to the operatory and placing the motor back on the tubing. Purging excess lubricant for up to 10 seconds is sufficient.
- Bag and autoclave up to a maximum 275˚F (135˚C).
For more information on handpiece sterilization please visit https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/guidelines/or your Brasseler Operation Manual.
Need to add a handpiece to your practice?
Brasseler USA® delivers performance and proven reliability for all your low speed clinical applications with the CDC compliant LS Series and HygienePro™ Air. Learn more about our low speed motors and how they can add value to your practice here.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings available at https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/pdf/safe-care2.pdf