Does Your Practice Need a Sterilization Tech?

Every member of the dental team plays a vital role. From the dentist wielding the drill to the receptionist managing appointments, each cog must work seamlessly for the machine to hum. However, there is one task that can grind the entire practice to a halt: dental sterilization. This step ensures instruments are sterile and guides the practices bloodborne pathogen protocols. If this vital process is becoming a barrier to seamless patient care, you just may need to hire a sterilization tech.

What Does a Sterilization Technician Do?

The sterilization technician's domain is the backbone of dental hygiene: cleanliness. From scrubbing and sterilizing instruments to maintaining a meticulous inventory of supplies, their duties are as varied as they are critical.

Their responsibilities include:

The path for a dental sterilization technician typically begins with on-the-job training and education provided within the dental practice itself. New hires often undergo comprehensive orientation sessions to familiarize themselves with the practice's sterilization protocols, equipment, and safety procedures. This initial training may involve shadowing experienced staff members, observing sterilization processes, and gradually assuming hands-on responsibilities under supervision.

Sterilization techs may benefit from attending workshops, seminars, or online courses focused on infection control, techniques, and regulatory compliance. As they gain experience and proficiency in their role, opportunities for advanced training or certification through recognized organizations may arise. Continuing education is essential to stay current with evolving industry standards and best practices.

Not all practices employ a dental sterilization technician to handle the above tasks. Instead, they split the duties among individual team members. However, that isn’t always the best option for good patient experiences. There are a few times when it might be wise to consider hiring a dedicated tech to support your team.

Does Your Practice Need a Dedicated Sterilization Tech?

Not all practices need a dental sterilization tech; some can’t get by without one. Finally, a few split the difference and employ these techs on a part time basis to support practices during peak periods. Before you decide on what is best for you, here are a few questions to consider.

What is your current patient volume?

Patient volume is based on the following formula.

(Average Number of Patients Per Day) × (Number of Days the Practice is Open per Week) × (Number of Weeks the Practice is Open per Year)

This figure will give you a good idea of whether your practice has the volume to support a dedicated tech. Most recent data shows an average of approximately 3,800 patient visits per dentist in the US in 2022. With an estimated 250 working days in the US per year, which amounts to about fifteen patient visits per day for a sole practitioner. For a practice turning over that many stations or more per day, a sterilization tech may be a necessary addition to keep care running smoothly.

What is your projected volume?

Are you anticipating a rapid change in the number of patients you serve? Business strategies, such as decisions to raise fees or withdraw from certain insurance networks, can directly impact expected patient volume. The same holds true if you're offering new services or expanding the number of insurance plans you accept.

Are team members equitably sharing sterilization duties?

Is there an effective division of labor, or is the brunt of the sterilization work falling on a few team members? This may lead to inefficiencies, interoffice conflicts, and errors that risk infection. A dedicated tech can streamline the process, allowing other team members to focus on their core responsibilities.

Are there any compliance issues related to sterilization protocols?

Failure to adhere to regulations can have severe consequences, both legally and ethically. A dedicated technician can ensure that your practice remains in full compliance with industry standards. If you're falling short on mandatory annual bloodborne pathogens training or risking sharps injuries from inefficient practices, the cost of hiring a sterilization technician may save a practice from expensive fines and penalties.

Is there a need to enhance efficiency in instrument processing?

A dedicated tech can introduce streamlined workflows and best practices, optimizing the sterilization process for maximum efficiency. If your practice can’t hire a sterilization tech full time, it may be smart to bring on a temporary worker who can give you ideas for process improvement on a consultative basis.

How to Hire a Technician for Your Practice

Hiring a sterilization tech for your practice may be a bit easier said than done. The job typically falls under the hygienists or dental assistant categories, which are always in demand, with employment expected to grow by 7% through 2032. With that in mind, it may be wise to see if there is someone in your practice now who would be interested in specializing in this role. It’s very much a position where you may need to build your own specialist and backfill the more general role.

When you’re looking for candidates, attention to detail and time management are necessary, but there are a few other skills you want to look out for:

• Critical thinking: The ability to analyze situations and make sound decisions is crucial, especially in a role where sterilization protocols must be strictly followed to ensure patient safety. Sterilization technicians often encounter unexpected challenges or equipment malfunctions that require quick thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve effectively.


• Environmental awareness: A good understanding of infection control principles and the ability to maintain a clean and sterile environment are essential for a sterilization technician. Beyond simply following established protocols, sterilization technicians must also be vigilant in identifying potential sources of contamination or infection risk within the dental practice environment.


• Technology skills: Familiarity with dental equipment sterilization systems and other technological tools used in the dental practice setting is advantageous. The ability to adapt to new technologies and procedures is also important in this rapidly evolving field. Sterilization technicians may be responsible for operating and maintaining sophisticated sterilization equipment, as well as troubleshooting technical issues as they arise. A solid grasp of technology and a willingness to embrace innovation are essential for success in this role.


• Risk management: This role is, above all, a risk management one. As such, the person in it would benefit from a background in risk assessment or situational awareness. Someone with a military background, for example, would be a good candidate to consider. In addition to identifying and mitigating risks associated with sterilization processes, sterilization technicians must also be prepared to respond effectively to emergency situations, such as equipment failures or contamination incidents, minimizing potential harm to patients and staff.


• Analytical skills: Regulatory documents can be complex and difficult to understand. Individuals responsible for following laws and protocols regarding hazardous materials and pathogens should be able to read and condense these laws into formats understandable to general audiences.

There is no specific education or training background to look for if you’ve decided to hire a dental sterilization tech. Instead, it’s wisest to look to the resources already available to you. Workers on your staff will be more familiar with the specific needs of your equipment and the unique processes of your practice.

While hiring a dedicated sterilization technician may present challenges, it also offers opportunities for professional development, which can lead to retention. By identifying team members who demonstrate relevant skills and providing them with specialized training, you can cultivate a skilled sterilization team tailored to the unique needs of your practice.