A SURVEY OF THE METHODS OF DISINFECTION OF DENTAL IMPRESSIONS USED INDENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

The potential for cross-infection from microbial contaminated dental i mpressions has long been recognised. This study set out to investigate impression decontamination procedures currently used in UK dental hos pitals (1995) and to see how these may have changed since a previous s urvey, carried out in 1988. A variety of disinfection solutions and re gimes were highlighted both within and between dental hospitals. Sever al of the disinfecting solutions currently being used have not been sp ecifically tested for efficacy with impression materials. The laborato ries were asked to highlight any adverse reactions. Five laboratories reported that some alginates resulted in casts with pour surface prope rties when immersed in hypochlorite (0.1 and 1%), sodium dichloroisocy anurate, and 2% glutaraldehyde solutions. This paper highlights that t here is no universally recognised impression disinfection/sterilisatio n protocol. It is recommended that all impressions should at least und ergo a disinfecting procedure by immersion in 1% sodium hypochlorite f or a minimum of 10 minutes.