Instrument processing involves
much more than sterilization. Proper processing of contaminated dental
instruments is actually a seven-step process.
Although the seven steps are not difficult to learn, it is very important for
you to have a clear understanding of how and why each step is performed. To prevent disease agents
from a previous patient from being transferred to you, to another member of the
dental team, or to the next patient, instrument-processing procedures must be
performed in a consistent and disciplined manner.