Monitoramento da esterilização de autoclaves gravitacionais em serviços odontológicos de um município do interior do estado de São Paulo

Introduction: Biosafety recommendations for dentistry aim to protect patients and professionals from health risks. Studies have demonstrated a causal link between dental care and infection occurrence among patients and dental professionals. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and compare frequencies of adequate sterilization monitoring in gravity autoclaves, through mechanical, physical, chemical, and biological controls, performed by professionals responsible for private dental services in Ribeirão Preto - SP, as well as to identify the professional category responsible for carrying it out. Method: This descriptive population-based study was quantitative with a cross-sectional design. The population consisted of dental surgeons linked to the services who applied for a license for initial operation and renewal in the second half of 2018. Data were collected between January and March 2019. A validated questionnaire was used. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Ribeirão Preto. Results: Among the 142 participants, 95.8% reported monitoring of the sterilization process. A total of 38.2% of the professionals who performed chemical and biological control were found to have periodically performed the chemical control at least once a day and the biological control weekly, 43.1% in the renewal category, and 10.0% in the initial request category. In the renewal category, 77.6% of dentists delegate responsibility to assistants and other professionals. This percentage is 40.0% for the initial request category. Conclusions: It is very worrying that six professionals did not perform any type of sterilization control. It is necessary to accelerate the revision of the regulations of the sterilization monitoring process and their standardization, and also invest in the educational process.