Proper monitoring of sterilization procedures used in oral surgery

The sterilization procedures used by oral surgeons in Norway have been surveyed. In 22 of the 25 oral surgical clinics controlled, instruments were sterilized by saturated steam at 121 degrees C or 134 degrees C; 3 used a dry heat oven sterilizer; dry heat and/or gas sterilization procedures supplemented steam sterilization in 17 clinics. When these sterilization procedures were monitored with biological indicators, 5 autoclaves (challenged with B. stearothermophilus spores), 2 dry heat sterilizers (B. subtilis spores), and all the Harvey Chemiclaves tested (B. subtilis spores) did not inactivate the bacterial spores. A biological monitoring system that fulfills the valid requirements for sterilization procedures given by the national health authorities and that is reliable, convenient, economical and self-contained should be used routinely in oral surgery clinics.