In the context of infection control, which item type should be sterilized?

Infection control protocols dictate that critical items must undergo sterilization because they are involved in procedures that penetrate soft tissue or bone, or come into contact with the bloodstream. These items carry a high risk of infection if they are not properly sterilized, as they can introduce pathogens directly into the body. Examples of critical items include surgical instruments, scalpel blades, and dental handpieces that enter sterile areas.

Sterilization is a process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, thus ensuring a safe environment for patient procedures. This level of control is essential for maintaining patient safety and upholding the standards of care required in dental practices. Proper sterilization methods, such as autoclaving, are used to achieve the necessary level of disinfection, whereas other categories of items, like non-critical or semi-critical ones, have different requirements for infection control and may not need to be sterilized.