The process used to remove contamination from reusable items is called decontamination. Which one of the following is the final stage of this process to be carried out?

Decontamination is an essential process in dental nursing that ensures the safety and efficacy of reusable instruments and items. The final stage of this process is sterilization, which involves the complete elimination of all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, from an item or surface.

While cleaning and disinfection are critical steps that precede sterilization, they do not provide the same level of assurance against infection. Cleaning removes physical debris and some microorganisms, while disinfection reduces the number of viable pathogens, but neither achieves the complete sterility that sterilization does. Inspection is also an important step in ensuring that instruments are free from damage or wear but is performed after cleaning and before sterilization; it helps to ensure that the process has been effective.

Sterilization is the final barrier against microbial contamination, making it vital for the safety of patients and the overall effectiveness of dental treatments.