Abstract:

Introdution:
The practice of dentistry encompasses a wide variety of procedures that usually involve contact with oral secretions, sometimes represented simply by contact with saliva, sometimes by contact with blood, oral secretions, respiratory secretions and aerosols. This all eventually leads to the possibility of transmission of infection¹, both from patient to patient through instrumental, as professionals or patients for the patients for professionals. Is the ranking as future professionals to receive information that can later apply them in practice.

Objective:
Knowing that the process of sterilization by saturated steam under pressure autoclave is the most common method used in dental offices, this research aims to identify the level of awareness of dental students in relation to the autoclave sterilization process that ranges from cleaning materials by controlling the sterilization using chemical and biological indicators. The research was conducted with students from the last year of dentistry at USC. A questionnaire was used as research instrument that was answered by the students.

Result:
The results showed that 33% of dental students still do not feel prepared to perform sterilization, 76% would use a solution of enzyme detergent for cleaning, 17% do not know the function of the ultrasonic washer, 67% would use envelopes compatible for autoclave , 11.9% do not know how to store the materials after sterilized correctly². Regarding the physical tests, chemical and biological, only 40% identified the need to perform all tests to monitor sterilization, 55% considered above 180 ° C the correct temperature for autoclave and yet 26% did not know quantificar. Em relation to chemical tests 40% indicated class 5 as offering greater security to control sterilization and 80.95% did not know which biological test to use and 40.47% would perform the test monthly.

Conclusion:
The results indicated that the percentage of students who are not prepared to carry out the sterilization of materials in his office is greater than initially indicated by the students' perceptions. When dealing with a professional what manipulates materials with critical risk for disease transmission, the course undergraduate should provide to this professional adequate qualifications for professional practice.

References:
[1] LACERDA, RA (Coord). Infection Control in Surgical Center: Myths, facts and controversies. Sao Paulo: Atheneu. 2003.
[2] GRAZIANO, K.U .; SILVA, A .; PSALTIKIDIS, M.S. (Org). Nursing Materials and Sterilization Center. Barueri: Manole 2011

Keywords:

Sterilization by Humid Heat, Sterilization, Dentistry, undergraduate education.