Updated for September 2026. This checklist is for Hong Kong dental clinic owners and managers reviewing infection-control workflow and clinic setup. It is informational only and should be read together with the Department of Health / ORPHF Code of Practice and current dental infection-control guidance.

1. Start with standard precautions

The Department of Health requires clinics to observe up-to-date infection-control and preventive measures, including standard precautions. Your clinic procedures should therefore cover staff hygiene, protective measures, cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation according to the nature of each item and procedure.

2. Separate single-use and reusable items

Items that are not designed to be reused, or cannot be sterilised appropriately, should not enter the reusable-instrument cycle. Reusable dental instruments and detachable handpieces should follow the required cleaning and sterilisation process after use.

3. Create a clean-to-dirty instrument flow

Plan where used instruments arrive, where cleaning occurs, where sterilised instruments are stored, and how clean packs move back to treatment areas. Avoid crossing clean and contaminated workflows unnecessarily.

4. Disinfect items entering the patient's mouth

Dental items that require disinfection before intra-oral use should have a defined process and storage location so staff can distinguish ready-to-use items from items awaiting processing.

5. Manage dental laboratory items

Dental laboratory items should be appropriately disinfected before sending them to the laboratory, with a clear return workflow when they come back into the clinic.

6. Reduce aerosol and splatter contamination

Dental treatment can generate aerosols and splatter. Your infection-control plan should address environmental cleaning, surface protection and procedural controls that reduce contamination around treatment zones.

7. Protect X-ray equipment

The Department of Health guidance specifically highlights protection of X-ray equipment from contamination during radiograph taking and processing, with appropriate disinfection when contamination occurs.

8. Manage suction tubing and connectors

Suction tubing and suction-tip connectors need contamination-control procedures and appropriate disinfection. Their workflow should be easy for staff to follow consistently between patients.

9. Manage dental unit waterlines

Dental unit waterlines require measures to minimise microbial levels. For surgical procedures, the Department of Health guidance states that sterile irrigation solution should be used.

10. Choose storage and trolleys that support cleaning

Cabinets, mobile dental carts and instrument trolleys should help separate clean materials from used items, keep frequently used consumables organised and allow surfaces to be cleaned easily.

11. Keep sterilised items protected

Store sterilised packs in a clean, dry and controlled location. Avoid storage arrangements where processed instruments are repeatedly exposed to contamination from open work areas.

12. Make responsibilities explicit

Every member of the dental team should understand who is responsible for instrument processing, surface disinfection, stock replacement, waste handling and end-of-day checks.

Official Hong Kong reference

Department of Health: Infection Control in Dental Practice

Relevant ErgoShopping dental and medical solutions

• Dental Carts
• Medical Carts & Trolleys
• Medical & Hospital Storage
• Salli Dental Saddle Stools

Frequently asked questions

Do reusable dental handpieces need sterilisation?

The Department of Health infection-control guidance identifies detachable handpieces, including ultrasonic scalers, as items to be sterilised after use.

Should dental laboratory items be disinfected before sending?

Yes. The Department of Health guidance states that dental laboratory items should be appropriately disinfected before sending.

What about dental unit waterlines?

Measures should be taken to minimise microbial levels, and sterile irrigation solution should be used for surgical procedures.