Esperienze in tema di disinfezione dello strumentario odontoiatrico

Experiments in the disinfection of dental instruments. — Within the framework of the complex problem of hygiene in the dental environment, the effectiveness of chemical and physical disinfection of dental instruments using glutaraldehyde, quaternary ammonium compounds and a quartz bead steriliser was assessed. The research was conducted on both instruments after use in dentai practice and on instruments contaminated in the laboratory with various bacteria and Adeno and Coxsakie viruses, the latter in particular presenting a particular risk in practice as the agent of hepatiitis B. The results confirmed the efficacy and speed of glutaraldehyde and the uselessness of quaternary ammonium compounds as sole treatment. Particular emphasis is placed on the latter's total lack of antiviral activity and on the supreme versatility of the quartz steriliser that, apart from certain structural limitations, is proposed as valuable back-up in dental practice.