Course Offerings

The Sterilization Tech Readiness course is an intensive eight-hour continuing education program designed to prepare dental sterilization technicians for excellence in infection prevention and instrument reprocessing. This hands-on Workforce Development class combines didactic instruction with skills-based training to ensure participants gain the knowledge, confidence and competencies necessary to manage the dental sterilization process in compliance with CDC, OSHA, ADA and state dental board guidelines.
Through interactive lectures, case-based discussions and supervised laboratory practice, participants learn how to safely handle contaminated instruments, perform effective cleaning and inspection, correctly package and operate dental sterilizers and monitor sterilization cycles using chemical, biological and mechanical indicators. Emphasis is placed on dental-specific workflows, including reprocessing of handpieces, bur blocks and cassettes, and on building documentation systems that support patient safety and regulatory compliance.

This course also highlights the role of sterilization technicians as critical members of the dental care team, providing the foundation for career advancement and workforce readiness. By the end of training, participants will demonstrate competency across all stages of dental instrument reprocessing, from decontamination through sterilization release, and will be equipped with practical tools to immediately apply their learning in a clinical setting.

Course Objectives

Define key infection control terminology, including Spaulding classification, chemical indicators, biological indicators and sterilization monitoring logs

List the required PPE for dental sterilization technicians in accordance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards

Identify dental instruments and classify them as critical, semi-critical or non-critical, per CDC dental guidelines

Explain the purpose of pre-cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning, sterilization and packaging steps within the dental instrument reprocessing cycle

Describe the principles of steam sterilization, including time, temperature, pressure and drying requirements for tabletop sterilizers

Summarize the differences between chemical, biological and mechanical monitoring of sterilization effectiveness

Outline of Instruction

Applying
• Demonstrate proper donning and doffing of PPE before entering the dental decontamination area.
• Operate a dental ultrasonic cleaner and tabletop steam sterilizer following the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFUs).
• Perform manual cleaning, lubrication, packaging and sterilization of handpieces, cassettes and bur blocks according to dental-specific protocols

Analyzing
• Differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable dental sterilization outcomes by interpreting biological, chemical and mechanical indicators
• Analyze case-based scenarios involving wet packs, failed biological indicators or damaged packaging, and identify likely causes
• Compare different sterilizer loading configurations, and determine which approach maximizes steam penetration and drying efficiency

Evaluating
• Assess compliance of sterilization logs and monitoring records with CDC and OSHA dental standards
• Evaluate real-world dental sterilization workflows for efficiency, safety and adherence to infection prevention guidelines
• Judge when a dental instrument load should be quarantined, recalled or released based on monitoring results

Creating
• Construct a sterilization tracking log that ensures patient-level traceability for dental instrument usage

Contact Hours

8

CEUs

No

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

N/A

Learning Supplies Needed

Required equipment for non-degree Dental course:
• Decontamination area
• Ultrasonic cleaner
• Manual scrubbing station
• PPE (fluid-resistant gowns, masks, gloves, utility gloves)
• Enzymatic solutions and brushes
• Sterilization area (Assisting – DCF)
• Tabletop sterilizers (Statim and Midmark)
• Date stamp
• Chemical indicators, biological indicators, mechanical logs
• Sterilizer racks and cassettes
• Dental instruments (mirrors, explorers, scalers, forceps, handpieces, instruments)
• Bur blocks and surgical kits
• Pouches, wraps and rigid containers
• Load cards and tracking labels

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

N/A

Requirements for Successful Completion

100% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

Clinical Dental Professionals

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

Clinical Dental Professionals - Sterilization Technicians

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment

Dental sterilization technician

Related Courses

Course Contact Information

Allied Health Office https://cehealth.waketech.edu
919-747-0140
[email protected]