Spaulding's Classification

CRITICAL

DEFINITION:

Enters sterile tissue or the vascular system and therefore heightening risk of infection if contaminated with microorganisms, including bacterial spores.

EXAMPLES:

Surgical instruments; orthodontic bands; dental burs; periodontal instruments (e.g. scalers, ultrasonic tips); scalpel blade

PROCESSING:

Sterilized according to MIFU, kept in their intact sterile packaging before use. If single-use, they are disposed of immediately after they have been used.

SEMI‑CRITICAL

DEFINITION:

Comes into contact with mucous membranes or nonintact skin

EXAMPLES:

Impression trays; lab burs; orthodontic pliers; dental dam frame; mouth mirrors; implant torque wrench; laboratory handpieces; bite block; tongue and cheek retractors

PROCESSING:

Sterilized according to MIFU. Heat sensitive items are process through highlevel disinfection (as a minimum) between patient use according to MIFU or used as single-use item. Sterilization is preferred.

NON‑CRITICAL

DEFINITION:

Comes into contact with intact skin but not mucous membranes.

EXAMPLES:

Blood pressure cuff; shade guide; bib chain; cameras; spatula; laboratory knife; rubber mixing bowl; curing lights; x-ray PID; glass mixing slab; eyewear

PROCESSING:

Disinfected or protected with barrier according to MIFU. (Some Non-critical items may also have sterilization parameters for reprocessing)

SINGLE-USE

DEFINITION:

Critical and semi-critical devices and instruments that are labelled by the manufacturer to be used only once as they cannot be cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized reliably.
OR

Devices that are purchased with a MIFU that does not contain reprocessing instructions.

EXAMPLES:

Cotton/paper product; anesthetic needles; prophylaxis cups; saliva ejectors; high-volume suction tips; disposable air/water syringe tips; plastic barriers;

PROCESSING:

Not reprocessed. Discarded after one-time use.