Washer-Disinfector Temperature — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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HardMicrobiologyWasher-Disinfector TemperatureMFDS Part 1

During reprocessing of reusable dental instruments, a validated washer-disinfector completes cleaning and rinsing before its thermal-disinfection holding phase. Which pair of time-temperature exposures is specified in UK dental decontamination guidance as appropriate examples for this phase?

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Correct answer: B — 80°C for 10 minutes or 90°C for 1 minute

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C

A is correct. UK dental decontamination guidance gives 80°C for 10 minutes or 90°C for 1 minute as examples of the thermal-disinfection holding phase in a washer-disinfector cycle. The higher temperature permits the shorter holding time. Option B contains the key error in the original item: 80°C for 1 minute is not the cited exposure. Options C and E are cooler and/or shorter than the specified examples, while option D gives much shorter exposures. Thermal disinfection is one stage of automated instrument reprocessing; after cleaning, disinfection and inspection, reusable instruments still require the appropriate validated steam-sterilisation process.

Reference: Scottish Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Management, equipment, and process of the decontamination of dental instruments in a Local Decontamination Unit in NHSScotland, Part C, 2024, as identified and endorsed by SDCEP. https://www.sdcep.org.uk/published-guidance/decontamination/