NHSScotland: Sterile Services Provision Review Group: Survey of Decontamination in General Dental Practice
SECTION 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusions
This survey has revealed that most staff in general dental practice are keen to deliver an efficient and safe supply of sterilized, re-usable instruments, but that in many cases their efforts are misdirected. There is a clear requirement for changes to the way in which the decontamination cycle is applied in the general dental services, if current key indicators of good practice are to be achieved across the sector.
Instrument decontamination requires a considerable level of technical knowledge and it is the role of experts in the field to provide this in a format which is accessible to those in primary care. Given appropriate guidance and support, including financial resources, the continued operation of LDUs within dental practices is practicable. The data generated from this survey of general dental practices will also be relevant to the other providers of primary care services in the United Kingdom, notably Community Dental Service clinics, podiatry and general medical practice.
5.2 Recommendations
The key areas identified by this survey to maximise improvements in decontamination within dental practice and to reduce risks associated with potential onward transmission of vCJD and other pathogens are:
1. Advice and training pertinent to instrument cleaning protocols.
2. Access to policies and procedures, such as SHTM 2010, presented in a meaningful and relevant manner.
3. Guidance on formal instrument procurement procedures.
4. Guidance on surgery design, layout and separation of clinical from decontamination areas.
5. Guidance on commissioning, testing and maintenance of cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
6. A re-appraisal of the role of regulatory bodies overseeing the compliance of instrument manufacturers/suppliers and equipment testing and maintenance sub-contractors with appropriate decontamination regulations.
7. Provision of appropriate documentation from suppliers, service and maintenance agents for decontamination equipment.
8. Revision of existing dental practice inspections.