CLEANING INSTRUMENTS

If your instruments are dirty, they can pass on germs that cause tetanus or hepatitis (see page 172 in Where There Is No Doctor).

Germs on dirty instruments can also go into the socket and start an infection.

Dental instruments must be not only clean, but also sterile. This means they need to be bot!. scrubbed and then boiled before they can be used again. See pages 82 to 85.

Use a brush and clean each instrument with soap and water.

Be careful to scrub away all bits of old dried blood.

Then kill the germs by placing the instruments into a covered pot of boiling water for 20 minutes.

Keep your sterile instruments together in a clean place.

Wrap them in a  clean cloth OR Leave them in disinfectant.

Mark with tape the names of the instruments inside.

Before you use any instrument again, wash it with clean water-to remove the taste of the disinfectant.

Germs living in dirty cotton can easily go inside the socket and start an infection. It is important, therefore, to keep the cut pieces in a container that is clean and has a cover. Use clean tweezers to remove the cotton gauze when you need some.

Also, keep your room and work area clean. Sweep the floor every day, and wipe down the chair and tables as often as possible.

Staying clean is a part of staying healthy.