Sterilization & Disinfection in orthodontics

Sterilization is one of the most important basic aspects in the whole of medical practice. Adequate attention has not been given to the prevention of cross contamination in the dental offices. This has occurred because we think that orthodontic procedures are usually non tissue invasive and also since the disease most identified with dentistry like hepatitis-B, was thought to be transmitted only by contact with blood of an infected carrier. Individuals who are at the greatest occupational risk from cross infection in dental practice are the health professionals themselves. Recent studies indicate that orthodontists have the second highest incidence among dental professionals of acquiring hepatitis-B. Most orthodontic practioners today are seeing patients from a much broader age group and socio-economic status. These people have a high risk of infectivity especially hepatitis-B.