Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

All of the following are acceptable ways to sterilize instruments EXCEPT:

1. Manually wash each instrument to produce the most effective sterilization

2. Use of an autoclave

3. Use of a Statim

4. All of the above are acceptable

The correct answer is: Manually wash each instrument to produce the most effective sterilization

The correct answer stems from the understanding of effective sterilization techniques. Manual washing of instruments does not achieve sterilization in the way that methods like autoclaving do. While manual cleaning is a critical step in the overall disinfection and cleaning process, it only reduces the number of microbes and does not guarantee that all infectious agents are killed, which is the primary goal of sterilization. In contrast, an autoclave utilizes high-pressure steam to sterilize tools, killing bacteria, viruses, and spores effectively. Similarly, a Statim is a type of autoclave designed for rapid sterilization, particularly suitable for dental instruments. Both these methods ensure that instruments are not only clean but fully sterilized. Therefore, the emphasis on manual washing as a standalone measure for achieving sterilization clearly indicates that it does not meet the necessary standards for sterilization, making it the exception among the provided choices.