Our Sterilisation Process

A rigorous 5-step instrument sterilisation protocol ensuring the highest level of patient safety.

Collection & Pre-Cleaning

Used instruments are immediately placed in designated contaminated containers at chairside. They are then transported to the sterilisation centre in sealed cassettes, minimising handling and cross-contamination risk. A preliminary rinse removes gross debris before the next stage.

Ultrasonic Cleaning

Instruments are immersed in an ultrasonic cleaning bath that uses high-frequency sound waves to dislodge microscopic debris from every surface, crevice, and joint. This is far more thorough than manual scrubbing and eliminates the risk of sharps injuries to staff during cleaning.

Inspection & Packaging

Each instrument is visually inspected under magnification to confirm it is completely clean and in good working condition. Instruments are then sorted, assembled into treatment sets, and sealed in individual sterilisation pouches with chemical indicator strips.

Class B Autoclave Sterilisation

Sealed instrument pouches are sterilised in our Class B vacuum autoclaves — the highest sterilisation standard available. Class B autoclaves use a pre-vacuum cycle to ensure steam penetration into hollow instruments and complex geometries. Every cycle is monitored with physical, chemical, and biological indicators.

Storage & Traceability

Sterilised instruments remain in their sealed pouches until the moment of use. Each pouch is date-stamped and batch-numbered for full traceability. We maintain detailed sterilisation logs that record every cycle's parameters (temperature, pressure, time), and these records are kept for a minimum of 5 years.

Sterilisation Standards

Class B vacuum autoclaves (highest sterilisation standard)
Chemical indicator strips on every pouch
Biological spore testing weekly
Physical monitoring of every autoclave cycle
Full traceability with batch numbering and date stamping
5-year retention of all sterilisation records
Dedicated sterilisation centre separated from clinical areas
Staff trained in infection control protocols annually

Surface & Environment Controls

All clinical surfaces wiped with hospital-grade disinfectant between patients
Barrier protection (plastic covers) on frequently touched surfaces
Treatment room air purification between patients
Fresh gloves, masks, and protective eyewear for every patient
Single-use items wherever possible (suction tips, cups, bibs, etc.)
Hand hygiene protocol (wash + alcohol gel) before and after every patient

Our Commitment to Patient Safety

At R&H Dental, infection control is not an afterthought — it is a core part of our clinical culture. Our sterilisation protocols exceed the minimum standards set by EU health regulations and Spanish dental authority requirements.

We invest in the highest-grade sterilisation equipment, maintain rigorous monitoring and testing schedules, and ensure all clinical staff undergo annual infection control training. Our dedicated sterilisation centre is physically separated from clinical areas, with a clear one-way workflow (dirty → clean) that eliminates cross-contamination risk.

We are transparent about our practices because we believe patients have the right to know exactly how their safety is protected. If you have any questions about our infection control protocols, please don't hesitate to ask during your visit.

Sterilisation Practices