The problem of contamination is a serious issue during dental treatment. It is true that many guidelines and regulations have been published regarding the prevention of cross-infection. Consequently, it means that digital sensors must be used with the same precautions as other dental equipment that possibly could become contaminated with saliva and blood. However, the situation with regard to intraoral sensor systems is not as bad as suggested in Dr. Boothe’s letter.
Phosphor plate sensors are protected by disposable plastic bags, very similar to the plastic cover of conventional films. After exposure, the contaminated bag can be opened while the dentist is still wearing surgical gloves. The plate can be removed without touching it, for instance, by dropping it from the plastic cover onto the work surface or into a light-tight container. From there, it can be transferred to the scanner after removing or changing gloves. In this way, there is no risk of contamination for the patient or the dentist.
For charge-coupled device sensors, disposable plastic sleeves are on the market, which can be wrapped around the sensor and the first part of the wire to the computer. This will serve as a barrier against contamination during the radiation exposures. And, although solid state sensors by their nature cannot be autoclaved, of course, they can be wiped with the same cleaning fluid that is used to clean other objects around the dental chair.
In other words, cross-contamination by digital sensors can be prevented in a simple but effective way.
