Dental chair disinfection: why material compatibility matters

The wrong cleaning and disinfection products can damage treatment centre surfaces over time. Here’s why dental teams should consider material compatibility alongside infection control.

The Journal of Hospital Infection, 149 (2024) 172-181, reviewed the chemical resistance testing of plastics and its compatibility with detergent and disinfectant products. They found that products with higher pH (>8.0) were responsible for 74% of failures, with 22 of the 39 tested plastics visibly cracking. This may result in device failures and recalls that could compromise patient and staff safety.

Despite being gentle on surfaces, these handy wipes are anything but gentle on bacteria and viruses. Spectrum of activity: Bactericidal, tuberculocidal, yeasticidal, limited virucidal (enveloped viruses incl. HBV, HCV, HIV and coronaviruses), noroviruses.

FD 366 sensitive top wipes are perfect for sensitive surfaces such as vinyl upholstery or acrylic glass, which can crack and discolour over time if the wrong product is used.

A spokesperson at Belmont UK advises: ‘Using the correct cleaning and disinfection products on your treatment centre can help extend its lifespan while protecting both staff and patients from infection. Products should be selected with consideration for both antimicrobial efficacy and material compatibility, particularly in relation to alcohol concentration. Repeated exposure to high-alcohol formulations can accelerate the degradation of upholstery materials, leading to hardening, brittleness and eventual surface cracking.

‘At Belmont UK, we consider equipment appearance, durability and clinical safety together, which is why we only recommend trusted cleaning brands that have been assessed as compatible with our treatment centre materials and finishes.’

More information is available here.

This article is sponsored by Durr Dental.