How frequently should dental handpieces be sterilized?

Dental handpieces should be sterilized after each use to ensure the highest level of infection control and patient safety. This practice stems from the understanding that dental procedures often involve contact with blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials. By sterilizing handpieces after every patient, dental professionals minimize the risk of cross-contamination and transmission of infectious diseases.

Each use exposes the handpiece to contaminants that could pose a health risk to subsequent patients if not adequately addressed. The sterilization process ensures that all microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, are eliminated, maintaining a safe dental environment.

While some options might suggest less frequent sterilization, such infrequency would not meet the stringent infection control standards established by dental health organizations, which prioritize patient safety above all. Frequent sterilization after each use is thus the standard protocol in dental practices.