Resumo

NARDO, Ana Paula de; ROMANO, Tatiana Gonçalves; DIAS, Ana Giselle Aguiar  e  GUIMARAES, Gustav. Sterilization in the dental private sector. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2013, vol.61, n.1, pp. 47-53. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective To evaluate the quality of the sterilization process in private dental clinics in Porto Velho, Rondônia. Methods A sample study was conducted with 100 dental clinics, by way of a questionnaire about procedures related to the sterilization process and implementation of biological monitoring of the equipment, using spores of Bacillus subtilis for the oven and Geobacillus stearothermophilus for the autoclaves. Results There was a predominant use of autoclaves for the sterilization of dental materials (72%); Among the equipment evaluated, 7(25%) ovens tested positive (ineffective sterilization) and no autoclaves (0%) produced positive results, demonstrating the effectiveness of the sterilization process. The following parameters, necessary for quality assurance of the sterilization process were found to be inadequate: incorrect time/temperature ratios (100% for autoclaves and 84.6% for ovens); Lack of thermometers on ovens (28%), absence of biological monitoring for control of sterilization (37.3% for ovens and 45.3% for autoclaves); and disinfection of instruments with glutaraldehyde is performed incorrectly. Most dental clinics do not interrupt the cycle of sterilization in ovens and make use of surgical grade sterilization of instruments in autoclaves. The sterilized material is stored in a suitable place. Conclusion ITherefore, given the results presented, it may be concluded that most of the private dental clinics in the city of Porto Velho, Rondônia, use autoclave sterilization as the preferred method and that it was effective given the biological indicators used, but the knowledge of dental surgeons regarding the process of sterilization and disinfection was insufficient, which alerts to the need for greater awareness by the professionals. It is hoped that the results can support both education and the monitoring of safe practices for the sterilization of dental instruments in private clinics in Porto Velho, helping and encouraging the academic community with the importance of this issue in training.

Palavras-chave : Biological indicators; Exposure to biological agents; Sterilization.