Dental autoclaves are certainly essential to your job as a dentist, it plays a crucial role in keeping your patients healthy. Since autoclaves are involved in the sterilization of dental instruments, you simply cannot afford to invest in anything but the best. However, you should know that there are several varieties and price points of autoclaves available to suit your specific needs.

The first thing you need to consider is that manual vs. automatic. Manual autoclaves are generally less expensive to buy and repair, but they take much longer to use. Automatic autoclaves cost a bit more, but they can save you tons of time and detect any malfunctions. For instance, sterilization is a necessary part of the maintenance of your dental handpiece. This process also puts your handpiece under the most stress with wear and tear. Maximum temperatures in your autoclave shouldn’t reach more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

And you should attention this: no national mandate requires such a log in a private practice dental office, but requirements in individual states can vary. For example, Indiana requires that sterilizer time(s) and temperature(s) be documented in the dental office infection control manual. Contact your state dental licensing agency to determine if similar requirements exist in your are. Because recordkeeping can play a role in risk management, it may be wise to consult your attorney for advice on maintaining such records.

Maintain sterilized instruments in the pouches or wrapping in which they were sterilized. If the packaging becomes torn or wet, the items must be repackaged and heat sterilized. Avoid mingling non-sterile packages with sterile ones. There should be a visible indicator, such as chemical indicators or color-change autoclave tape on the outside of each package to allow staff to easily discern sterilized instrument packages from those that have not yet been heat-processed.

Autoclaves should be cleaned according to the schedule described in the autoclave's instructions or operator's manual. Often the manufacturer has specific recommendations on the agents to use for the safest and most effective cleaning. If you've lost your manual, contact the autoclave manufacturer for a replacement.