Dental Assistant Practice Exam

What is a key advantage of keeping a sterilization log?

1. Tracks employee work hours

2. Stores customer information

3. Documents all sterilized items

4. Records maintenance schedules

The correct answer is: Documents all sterilized items

Keeping a sterilization log is crucial for many reasons, and one of the primary advantages is that it documents all sterilized items. This log provides a systematic record of every instrument or item that has undergone sterilization, including details such as the type of sterilizer used, the date of sterilization, and the operator's initials. Maintaining this log is essential for ensuring compliance with safety regulations and infection control protocols. It helps in verifying that items are appropriately sterilized before being used in patient care, thereby minimizing the risk of infection transmission. Furthermore, in the event of a failure in the sterilization process, the log allows for quick identification of potentially compromised instruments, contributing to patient safety and the overall effectiveness of the dental practice. The other options do not directly relate to the primary function of a sterilization log and focus on aspects unrelated to infection control and compliance in a dental setting.