A case for single use
By JT Walker, C Budge, M Vassey, JM Sutton, ND Raven, PD Marsh, P Bennett
This article considers the evidence underpinning the UK Health Department’s guidance that root canal instruments must be treated as single use as a precaution to reduce any risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) transmission.
Summary
Some instruments such as endodontic files are inherently difficult to clean and may come into contact with peripheral nerves known to carry vCJD. Hence, the provision of clear and unambiguous advice to dentists from the Department of Health in a communication Advice for dentists on re-use of endodontic instruments and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) will ensure that endodontic reamers and files are treated as single use to further reduce any risk of vCJD transmission through dentistry.
