Decontamination procedures for tungsten carbide debonding burs: a cross-sectional survey of hospital-based orthodontic departments

• Published in: Journal of orthodontics Vol. 37; no. 3; p. 174
• Main Authors: Sheriteh, Zahra, Hassan, Tasnim, Sherriff, Martyn, Cobourne, Martyn, Cobourne, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.2010
• Subjects: Cross-Sectional Studies; Decontamination - methods; Dental Debonding - instrumentation; Dental Instruments; Dental Service, Hospital; Equipment Reuse; Humans; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tungsten Compounds
• DOI: 10.1179/14653121043074

To determine the current pattern of use and handling of tungsten carbide debonding burs (TCDBs) within UK hospital-based orthodontic departments. Cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires were sent to 217 departments within the UK and an overall response rate of 93% was achieved. Most hospital departments (68%) currently use TCDBs designed for a slow handpiece. Just over half (55%) discard their TCDBs after single-use, but only 24% adequately decontaminate new burs prior to initial use. Almost all those that reuse TCDBs decontaminate them in a sterilizer and carry out combinatorial presterilization cleaning. The most common methods are manual cleaning followed by an ultrasonic bath (26%) or washer-disinfector (15%); or alternatively, soaking of burs followed by manual cleaning (13%). For those departments that use only a single method, manual cleaning (29%) or a washer-disinfector (10%) are most common. In terms of sterilizing TCDBs, 58% used a vacuum phase autoclave and 13% a downward displacement. There is wide variation in the handling of TCDBs in UK hospital-based orthodontic departments. Decontamination of new TCDBs prior to initial use is carried out by less than a third of departments. Despite their classification as reusable devices, just over half discard TCDBs after single use. However, among those that do reuse TCDBs, almost all decontaminate them correctly.