Effectiveness of sterilisation and disinfection procedures for dental amalgam carriers

The potential for cross infection through dental amalgam carriers was investigated in 37 Dunedin dental practices and in the University of Otago School of Dentistry. Eighteen practitioners had autoclavable carriers, but only 2 autoclaved them at least daily. The School of Dentistry disinfected plastic carriers and autoclaved metal carriers. Microbiological examination, by culturing from the most commonly contaminated carrier site, showed that the School of Dentistry method for disinfection of plastic carriers was unreliable. Autoclaving was confirmed as the preferred method of sterilisation, but many existing carriers are not suited to this technique.