Get Infection Control Right Every Time With Spore Tests and Sterilizers

Sterilization monitoring is a cornerstone of infection control and prevention in dental settings. Spore testing, also known as biological monitoring, is considered the gold standard for verifying the efficacy of sterilization processes. Oral health professionals must routinely verify that their sterilizers are working properly, including performing spore tests at the frequency recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The two most common types of spore testing used in dental practices are in-office incubation and mail-in.

According to the CDC’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, sterilization procedures should be monitored using biological indicators (spore tests) at least weekly and with every load that contains implantable devices, such as titanium or ceramic zirconia implants.¹ OSHA reinforces this recommendation under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), which mandates that employers ensure proper functioning of sterilization equipment as part of their exposure control plan.²

Importance of Sterilization in Dentistry

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* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.