A rigorous sterilization protocol protects your patients and your professional liability. This guide presents the steps recommended by CSS/HGR and how SecuSteri automates the documentation.
Every dental practice in Belgium should have a written sterilisation protocol, accessible to all staff and available during inspections. The Superior Health Council (CSS/HGR — opinion 8363) recommends a documented protocol covering the entire sterilisation chain. INAMI may verify compliance as part of convention obligations.
The designated person responsible for sterilisation within the practice. A detailed description of each step in the sterilisation chain (pre-disinfection, cleaning, rinsing, drying, packaging, autoclaving, storage). The maintenance and validation schedule for the autoclave (initial qualification, annual requalification, preventive maintenance). The frequency of biological and physico-chemical controls. The traceability method used (paper or digital register). Waste management procedures. The staff continuing education plan.
For the step-by-step sterilisation chain, see our dental sterilisation chain guide.
A cycle is valid when the recorded parameters match the selected programme and all indicators are compliant. In dental practice, the reference cycle is 134°C for 18 minutes (prion cycle). The CSS/HGR recommends a Class B autoclave for sterilising hollow instruments (handpieces, contra-angles) and wrapped loads.
Before the first load of each working day, a Bowie-Dick test (pre-vacuum autoclaves) or Helix test (hollow instruments) validates the autoclave's proper functioning. A failed cycle or non-compliant indicator requires repackaging and re-sterilising the entire load.
For details on biological controls, see our autoclave biological controls guide.
The Superior Health Council has published several opinions that serve as the benchmark for dental sterilisation in Belgium. Opinion 8363 specifically covers dental practice hygiene. Opinion 9682 addresses sterilisation of reusable medical devices across all healthcare settings.
The most commonly flagged issues during inspections: missing instrument-to-patient traceability, absent or incomplete written protocol, undocumented biological controls.
The protocol must define the traceability method used. Paper registers remain acceptable, but their limitations are well documented: missing pages, illegible handwriting, forgotten entries, no instrument-to-patient link, risk of loss in case of disaster.
A digital register eliminates these risks. SecuSteri automatically imports the autoclave report, links each instrument to its cycle, and generates a signed, tamper-proof record. Every cycle is archived according to the plan's retention period, accessible at any time during an inspection.
For a detailed comparison, see our digital vs paper register guide.
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