Biological Monitoring Program

"All critical and semicritical dental instruments that are heat stable should be sterilized routinely between uses by steam under pressure, dry heat, or chemical vapors...Proper functioning of sterilization cycles should be verified by the periodic use (at least weekly) of biologic indicators," according to the Centers for Disease Control Recommended Infection-Control Practices for Dentistry, 1993.

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Dental School provides a Biological Monitoring Program that will meet the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA). Both organizations recommend weekly testing of dental office sterilizers in an effort to ensure the safety of patients and employees against the transmission of infectious diseases.

The only way to ensure that your sterilizer(s) have achieved proper sterilization efficiency is to use biological monitoring. Color changes on sterilization bags and pouches and autoclave tape only indicate that the package has been processed through a sterilization cycle. The use of biological monitors, inoculated with non-pathogenic bacteria, is the only way to actually know if your sterilization equipment is functioning efficiently and providing your office with properly sterilized instruments.

Our service will supply your office with one envelope per test. Each envelope will contain two glassine enclosed spore strips. One strip will be processed during your sterilization cycle, the other will serve as your positive control. Once you complete the sterilization cycle, return the test strip to the envelope, complete the required information and return to the New Jersey Dental School for processing. Each strip that you receive has been inoculated with two non-pathogenic bacteria Bacillus subtilis variety niger and Bacillus stearothermophilus dormants, which allows testing to be performed on both steam and dry heat sterilizers. When the spore strips are received at the Dental School, they will be processed on the day that they are received. Within 24 hours, we will know if positive growth is occurring, even though the strips are incubated for 7 days, and be able to notify you of the efficiency of your sterilizer. Should positive growth occur, you will be notified by telephone and requested to repeat the testing process. Should a second positive test occur, this will indicate the need for evaluation and possible servicing of your equipment.

For further information please contact:
Teri E. Lassiter, MPH
Manager, Office of Infection Control and Environmental Safety
Room C816
973-972-3635
lassiter@umdnj.edu

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