Sterilisation and Infection Control at Sandgate Family Dental

Behind every dental appointment is a steady, methodical infection control routine that you mostly do not see. It is one of the most important parts of running a dental practice well, and one of the things we take most seriously. This page explains how we sterilise instruments, manage single-use items, and follow the relevant Australian standards — so you can feel confident about your visit.

If you have specific questions about anything on this page, please feel free to raise them at your appointment. To book, head to our online booking page.

The Australian standard we follow

Sterilisation and infection control in Australian dental practices is governed by AS/NZS 4187 — the Australian and New Zealand standard for reprocessing reusable medical devices. The Australian Dental Association’s Guidelines for Infection Control sit alongside it and translate the standard into day-to-day practice.

Following AS/NZS 4187 covers everything from how instruments are cleaned to how they are packaged, sterilised, recorded, and stored. It is the same standard hospitals follow for reusable surgical instruments, and we apply it consistently to every visit, every day.

How instruments are reprocessed

Reusable instruments go through a defined cycle every time they are used:

Pre-cleaning — instruments are placed in solution at the chair to keep debris from drying
Cleaning — instruments are thoroughly cleaned, either mechanically in an instrument washer or by hand, with the right detergent and water temperature
Inspection — every instrument is visually checked under good light to confirm it is clean and undamaged
Packaging — instruments are bagged or pouched with a sterilisation indicator
Sterilisation — packaged instruments are sterilised in an autoclave (a steam steriliser)
Drying and storage — packs are dried, the cycle is recorded, and packs are stored in a clean, dry environment until needed

Each instrument pack carries a chemical indicator that changes colour once sterilisation is complete. We only open the pack at the chair, in front of you, just before it is used.

What an autoclave does

An autoclave uses high-pressure saturated steam, at around 134 degrees Celsius for a defined hold time, to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, and bacterial spores. It is the gold standard for sterilising heat-stable dental instruments and is the same technology used in hospitals.

The cycle is recorded automatically. We monitor each load with chemical indicators and validate the autoclave regularly with biological indicators that confirm the steriliser is actually killing test spores — not just hitting the right temperature.

Single-use items

Many items in dentistry are simply not reused. After your appointment they go straight into clinical waste, including:

Anaesthetic needles and cartridges
Saliva ejectors and high-volume suction tips
Cotton rolls, gauze, and applicators
Disposable cups, bibs, and tray covers
Examination gloves and face masks
Polishing cups, brushes, and prophy heads
Many endodontic files and matrix bands
Suture material

Using single-use items wherever practical reduces the risk of cross-contamination and is part of the same broader infection control system as sterilisation.

Surface cleaning between patients

Between every patient our team:

Cleans and disinfects the dental chair, headrest, and operating light
Wipes down all working surfaces with a TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectant
Replaces single-use coverings on the chair, light handles, and other touch points
Disposes of all single-use items in the appropriate clinical waste stream
Sets out freshly sterilised, sealed instrument packs for the next appointment

Treatment rooms are also cleaned thoroughly at the start and end of every day.

Personal protective equipment

Our clinicians and assistants wear:

Fresh disposable gloves for every patient
Surgical masks (and additional protection for aerosol-generating procedures where appropriate)
Protective eyewear or face shields
Clean clinical uniforms

You are also given protective eyewear during treatment to keep your eyes safe from any spray or stray particles.

Water lines and suction systems

Dental units use water for cooling drills and rinsing, and that water has to be clean. We use anti-retraction valves and dedicated dental waterline cleaners to keep biofilm under control. Suction lines are flushed at the end of every appointment and disinfected daily.

Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective infection control measures we have. Our team washes hands or uses alcohol-based hand rub before and after every patient interaction, on entering and leaving the surgery, and before any sterile procedure.

Vaccinations and team training

Our team is up to date with the vaccinations recommended for dental healthcare workers in Australia, including hepatitis B. Infection control training is part of ongoing professional development for every clinical and assistant team member.

Record-keeping

Every sterilisation cycle is logged, including time, temperature, pressure, and the load contents. Records are kept so that, for any instrument used at any appointment, we can trace which sterilisation cycle it came from. This kind of traceability is part of AS/NZS 4187 and is reviewed during routine practice audits.

What you may notice as a patient

Most of our infection control happens before you arrive. What you may see at the chair:

Sealed sterilisation pouches that are opened in front of you
Fresh single-use items being unwrapped
Disposable coverings on lights, headrest, and tray
Our team washing hands and putting on fresh gloves before starting
Surfaces being wiped down between patients
Sharps containers and clinical waste bins kept out of reach

If you ever want to know more about what is happening, please ask — we are very happy to talk through it.

Children, immunocompromised patients, and infection control

The same protocols apply for every patient — whether you are healthy, immunocompromised, pregnant, very young, or very old. The standards built into AS/NZS 4187 are designed to protect everyone equally. If you have specific concerns related to a medical condition, please mention it when booking so we can answer any questions before your visit. See also our pages on medication and dental treatment and diabetes and dental health.

Infection control FAQs

Are the instruments used on me actually sterile?

Yes. Every reusable instrument is steam-sterilised in an autoclave, in a sealed pack with an indicator that changes colour. We open the pack in front of you, immediately before use.

What standard do you follow?

We follow AS/NZS 4187 (the Australian and New Zealand standard for reprocessing reusable medical devices) and the Australian Dental Association’s infection control guidelines.

How often is the autoclave checked?

Each cycle is logged and monitored with chemical indicators. The autoclave is also tested regularly with biological indicators to confirm that sterilisation is actually being achieved.

Do you reuse anaesthetic needles?

Never. Needles and anaesthetic cartridges are single-use and go straight into the sharps bin after your appointment.

Is the water in the dental unit clean?

Dental unit waterlines are managed with anti-retraction valves and dedicated cleaners. Where rinsing is required for surgical procedures, sterile saline is used.

What about COVID and other respiratory viruses?

The infection control system we use was already designed to handle bloodborne and respiratory pathogens. We continue to follow current Queensland Health and Australian Dental Association guidance on additional precautions where appropriate.

Can I see the sterilisation area?

For workflow and safety reasons we do not run public tours of the sterilisation area, but we are happy to answer any questions about how it works.

Related information

Book a visit

If you have any specific infection control questions, our team would be glad to answer them before or during your visit. To book, please book online or phone the practice during business hours.