FDA Issues Infection Control Reminder About Multiple-Use Dental Dispenser

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory notifying dental practitioners to take care when using dental dispensers on multiple patients. Multiple-use dental dispensers, also called dental “syringes” are devices used to deliver various dental products such as impression materials and adhesives to an oral treatment side. They do not include sharps such as needles or syringes for injection of anesthetics.

The advisory states that while the disposable tips are discarded after each patient, the dispensers containing the remaining materials are stored for reuse. Potential infection control issues arise when the reusable portion of the dispenser comes in contact with a patient’s mouth, or when a dental practitioner whose gloves are contaminated handles the dispenser.

As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and required by the Dental Board of California, once a reusable semi-critical item comes in contact with oral tissue, it must be sterilized after use.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has provided dental professionals with comprehensive programs to support regulatory compliance and infection control. We are a registered continuing education provider in the state of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and OSHA training.