
Reassessing Safety: A Review of Contaminated Dental Instrument Processing
By: Dr. Emily Boge, EdD,...Dr. Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA, FAADH, FADHA, CDIPC
Post Date: 3/13/2025
CE Amount: 2
Categories: Infection Control
COURSE OVERVIEW
This self-paced, written course offers readers an in-depth review of the essential principles used in the creation of policies and procedures for dental instrument processing, cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. This piece provides foundational knowledge in infection prevention, with a section specifically focused on the key terminology needed to comprehend effective decontamination processes.
Material is structured in seven key steps that outline dental instrument processing to assist dental practices in creating and upholding safety and compliance standards in their individual places of work. Additional topics include preventive protection mechanisms for safe contaminated dental instrument handling, methods of bioburden removal, safe handling before packaging instruments, protocols for safe storage, specific methods used for sterilization, and a comparative look at processing integrators versus indicators in assessing sterilization success. Lastly, students will learn the components of an effective biological monitoring system and quality control processes essential for consistent, high-quality infection control in dental settings. Upon completion, course readers will solidify
their theoretical understanding of dental instrument processing and sterilization, equipping them with the knowledge to support safe and
efficient practices in a clinical environment.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Define key terms associated with dental instrument processing.
- Explain the seven steps of dental instrument processing.
- Discuss preventive protection mechanisms for safe contaminated dental instrument handling.
- Identify methods of instrument bioburden removal prior to sterilization.
- Describe basic techniques for safe packaging and storage of dental instruments.
- Identify sterilization methods using heat.
- Explain dental instrument processing integrators, in comparison to indicators.
- Describe components of an effective biological monitoring system in dental practice.
- Identify sterilization processes for quality control.
COURSE SPEAKER

Wife, mother, farmer, educator, inventor, public health advocate, businessperson, researcher, writer, speaker—yet always a dental hygienist. Dr. Emily Boge blends her extensive experience in dental hygiene and dental assisting with a Doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership to teach both entry-level and licensed dental practitioners globally. Emily is a champion for innovation, influencing manufacturers to prioritize practitioner input in product development. Through evidence-based research, she educates and evaluates products while advocating for accountability and empowerment among dental professionals. Dr. Boge shares her insights as a speaker and writer, always pushing the boundaries of dental practice standards and techniques.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This course is intended for Dental Assistant, Dentist, Hygienist, and Office Manager from novice to advanced.
EDUCATIONAL METHOD
Self Instructional Online CE Course
IMAGE AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT
No images in this presentation have been altered.
SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT
Information shared in this continuing education activity is developed from clinical research and represents the most current information available from evidence-based dentistry.
KNOWN BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS
Information in this continuing education activity is derived from data and information obtained from the reference section.
DISCLOSURE
This Dental Learning presentation is made possible through the continued support of . Dr. Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA, FAADH, FADHA, CDIPC is a consultant and/or speaker for the following companies and/or organizations: Dental Learning, . Dr. Emily Boge, EdD, RDH, CDA, FAADH, FADHA, CDIPC may receive an honorarium as compensation from the CE Supporter of this presentation and/or from Dental Learning for the time involved in preparing and delivering this online presentation.
Dental Learning is an approved ADA CERP Provider, AGD PACE Provider, and California State Dental Board Provider of dental continuing education. Dental Learning strives to deliver balanced, objective and clinically relevant information grounded on scientific research. Lecturers who are invited to deliver Dental Learning CE webinars are advised to substantiate their claims with research-supported data and to disclose all commitments to, or relationships with, any commercial entity within the dental industry. In many cases, lecturers are sponsored by a dental manufacturing company, which provides them with support in the form of honorarium and/or dental products and equipment in order to help with clinical presentations. Prior to each live CE webinar, lecturers are made aware of the importance of delivering their presentations without commercial bias, and where appropriate, to mention a variety of different product choices that may be relevant to the subject matter of the lecture, for the educational benefit of the participant.
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