How are dental instruments classified based on their risk of infection?

Dental instruments are classified based on their risk of infection into three categories: critical, semi-critical, and non-critical. This classification system is essential for understanding how to handle, clean, and sterilize instruments based on their anticipated risk of transmitting infections.

Critical instruments are those that penetrate soft tissue or bone, such as surgical scalpels or dental syringes. Because they come into direct contact with sterile areas of the body, they must be sterilized after each use to eliminate the risk of infection.

Semi-critical instruments come into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin but do not penetrate tissue. Examples include mirrors and impression trays. These instruments require high-level disinfection, as they may harbor pathogens that can cause infections if not properly treated.

Non-critical instruments come into contact only with intact skin and pose a lower risk of infection. Items such as blood pressure cuffs and dental chairs fall into this category, and they typically require cleaning and low-level disinfection.

This tiered approach to classification reflects the varying levels of infection risk associated with different types of instruments, guiding appropriate infection control practices in a dental setting.