§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made as to the effectiveness of the sterilisation of dental handpieces by autoclaving according to manufacturer's instructions.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe effectiveness of sterilisation was referred to the Microbiology Advisory Committee which advises the Department on sterilisation practice applicable to the health service. In May 1993 the committee recommended that dental handpieces should be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions and then subjected to steam sterilisation.