§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines her Department issued to national health service dentists on the sterilisation of all dental equipment;
(2) what regulations cover the sterilisation of national health service dental equipment.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department has issued guidance to dentists by means of circulars, booklets and letters from the Chief Dental Officer, in 1986, 1988, 1990 and most recently in July 1993, advising them of the need to sterilise equipment adequately. It was made clear in 1988 that dental handpieces should be sterilised in an autoclave. There are no regulations which specifically cover the sterilisation of dental equipment. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.