Dental Practice Cleaning and Sanitization Protocol

1. Daily Opening Procedures

Treatment Rooms

• Wipe all surfaces with EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant
• Check sterilization indicators on packaged instruments
• Inspect dental unit water lines
• Replace disposable barriers on:
  • Light handles
  • Chair controls
  • X-ray equipment
  • Computer keyboards

Common Areas

• Sanitize reception desk and waiting area
• Clean door handles and high-touch surfaces
• Empty waste receptacles

2. Between Patient Procedures

Immediate Post-Treatment

1. Remove and dispose of:
   • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
   • Surface barriers
   • Single-use items
2. Clean visible debris from surfaces
3. Apply disinfectant to all clinical contact surfaces

Instrument Processing

1. Transport contaminated instruments to sterilization area
2. Clean instruments using ultrasonic cleaner or instrument washer
3. Package instruments for sterilization
4. Process through autoclave
5. Store in clean, designated area

3. End-of-Day Procedures

Treatment Rooms

• Perform terminal cleaning of all surfaces
• Flush dental unit water lines
• Clean and disinfect floor

Sterilization Area

• Clean and disinfect all work surfaces
• Process final instrument loads
• Clean ultrasonic units

Documentation

• Log sterilization cycles
• Sign off on cleaning checklist
• Record maintenance tasks

4. Weekly Tasks

• Deep clean storage areas
• Check expiration dates on supplies
• Test water line quality
• Validate sterilization processes

5. Monthly Tasks

• Review cleaning protocols
• Update safety data sheets
• Inspect equipment maintenance records
• Conduct staff training review