Pre-Sterilisation Cleaning — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyMicrobiologyPre-Sterilisation CleaningMFDS Part 1

For routine reprocessing of reusable dental instruments compatible with automated cleaning, which method is recommended for cleaning before steam sterilisation?

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Correct answer: D — A validated washer-disinfector

A validated washer-disinfector is the recommended routine method because it provides a controlled, reproducible cleaning process and includes a disinfection stage before steam sterilisation. Current SDCEP-endorsed Scottish guidance requires a washer-disinfector for compliant instrument reprocessing in a local decontamination unit. An ultrasonic cleaner may assist cleaning or act as contingency equipment following washer-disinfector failure, but it is not the preferred routine method. Manual cleaning is less reproducible and presents a greater sharps-injury risk, so it is not the routine choice when automated cleaning is suitable. Chemical disinfection alone does not replace cleaning, and contaminated instruments must not be placed directly into a steriliser without prior cleaning.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), Decontamination: Instrument decontamination guidance, referring to SHTM 01-05 Management, equipment, and process of the decontamination of dental instruments in a Local Decontamination Unit in NHSScotland, April 2024. https://www.sdcep.org.uk/published-guidance/decontamination/