What cleaning method destroys bacteria and fungi, but not all pathogens?

The cleaning method that destroys bacteria and fungi, but not all pathogens, is disinfection. Disinfection involves the use of chemical agents or physical methods to reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces to a level considered safe.

Disinfection effectively targets many bacteria and fungi, rendering them inactive or killing them, yet it may not eliminate all types of pathogens, such as some bacterial spores and certain viruses. This is why disinfection is commonly used in dental practices for surfaces and equipment that do not require a higher level of cleanliness, such as sterilization.

Aseptic techniques, on the other hand, aim to prevent the introduction of pathogens, focusing on maintaining sterility rather than simply reducing microbial load.

Socially clean refers to surfaces being visibly clean but does not guarantee microbial reduction, hence it is not specific to pathogens.

Sterilization is the process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and spores, which is a more comprehensive level of cleaning than what disinfection provides. Thus, disinfection is accurately described as the method that destroys most bacteria and fungi but does not ensure the total elimination of all pathogens.