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Heat-Sensitive Instrument Disinfection — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateMicrobiologyHeat-Sensitive Instrument DisinfectionMFDS Part 1

A reusable heat-sensitive dental instrument contacts the oral mucosa but does not penetrate soft tissue. The manufacturer confirms that it cannot tolerate the practice's validated decontamination cycle and provides no alternative validated reprocessing method. What is the most appropriate action?

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Correct answer: B — Replace it with a single-use or compatibly reprocessable instrument

The correct answer is B. A reusable intraoral instrument must have a manufacturer-specified, validated decontamination process compatible with the facilities available. If neither the practice's validated cycle nor an alternative validated method can be used, the instrument should be removed from use and replaced with a suitable single-use or reprocessable device. Immersion in glutaraldehyde is not an improvised substitute for validated reprocessing and presents occupational hazards. Alcohol wiping, ultraviolet exposure and washing alone do not provide an adequately controlled level of decontamination for reuse on another patient. The decisive features are the absence of any validated alternative process and the instrument's contact with oral mucosa.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme, Practice Support Manual: Procurement of items for Infection Prevention and Control, current 2026. https://psm.sdcep.org.uk/topics/infection-prevention-and-control/procurement-of-items-for-infection-prevention-and-control/