Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Which items must be sterilized before use in dental procedures?

1. Disposable gloves

2. Surgical instruments, periodontal knives, sutures, and needles

3. Patient charts and records

4. Hand sanitizers and disinfectants

The correct answer is: Surgical instruments, periodontal knives, sutures, and needles

The correct answer focuses on the necessity of sterilizing specific items used in dental procedures to prevent infection and ensure patient safety. Surgical instruments, periodontal knives, sutures, and needles are considered critical items because they come into direct contact with soft tissues and bone, which means any contamination could lead to serious infections or complications for the patient. Sterilization is a process that kills all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, hence making these items safe for use. In contrast, disposable gloves are designed for single-use and are typically discarded after encountering bodily fluids, so they do not require sterilization. Patient charts and records are documents that do not come into direct contact with a patient’s biological systems; they are maintained according to privacy and record-keeping regulations instead. Lastly, hand sanitizers and disinfectants are used to clean hands and surfaces and are not items that require sterilization but rather routine disinfection based on their intended purpose in the dental practice.