Review of Surface Disinfection Protocols in Dentistry: a 2019 Update

Disinfection is a crucial aspect of patient care in dentistry. In the pre-19th century era, natural elements like acids, sulfur, mercury, and various alkaline metals were valued for their ability to obliterate pathogens. More recently aerosols, sprays, and disinfectant wipes with more powerful chemicals including quaternary ammonium compounds and aldehydes have become popular. As aerosols fall out of favor due to their health and environmental risks, disinfectant wipes are becoming the most trusted form of clinical sanitization. This article explores the history as well as the current practice of disinfection in the dental profession and further explores the variations in the use of surface disinfection based on the published literature. The current practice guidelines as recommended by agencies like Centers for Disease Control (CDC) were studied and summarized for this review.