Beyond Price: Choosing the Right Surface Disinfectant for Dental Facilities

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Written by Alice Brewer, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC, Senior Director, Clinical Affairs, and Erica Smith, MBA, National Account Manager, Non-Acute Care

Even the simplest actions—turning a doorknob, repositioning a tray, handling a chart—can shape the safety of a dental practice. What seems like just another routine touch might be something more—are your surfaces ready?

Infection prevention is critical in dental settings, where frequent patient interactions, aerosol-generating procedures, and high-touch surfaces create a high risk of cross-contamination. From the dental chair to the light handles, countertops to trays, and computer equipment to phones, every surface is exposed to pathogens (1). In fact, studies have shown that up to 60% of dental chairs in clinical settings are contaminated with bacteria (1), and alarmingly, only 51% of dental healthcare workers clean their hands before and after every patient contact (2). It’s no surprise, then, that infection control in these environments demands rigorous disinfection protocols. Without proper surface disinfection, pathogens can spread quickly, putting both patients and staff at risk.

When it comes to choosing a disinfectant for dental practices, cost is often a significant factor, but it should not be the only factor. Selecting a disinfectant based solely on price can compromise infection control, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards. A well-chosen disinfectant combined with clear cleaning protocols is key to a safer, more effective practice.

Understanding Proper Surface Disinfection in Dental Settings

The first step in choosing the right disinfectant for your dental practice is understanding the different types of surfaces that require attention and the level of disinfection they need. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surfaces in healthcare settings can be categorized into two types:

Clinical Contact Surfaces: These are high-risk areas that frequently come into contact with patients, such as dental chairs, light handles, and treatment trays. These surfaces are exposed to bodily fluids, such as blood or saliva, and require protective barriers and rigorous disinfection to prevent contamination and transmission of infectious agents. Surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected with an intermediate-level EPA-registered surface disinfectant (ideally those listed on EPA List B (for Tuberculocidal disinfectants) and List S (for disinfectants effective against bloodborne pathogens).
Housekeeping Surfaces: These surfaces, such as floors and walls, are generally lower-risk surfaces that require routine cleaning with detergent and water or an EPA-registered disinfectant. If visibly contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials, they should be cleaned and disinfected with a low-level EPA-registered disinfectant. Reusable cleaning tools should be cleaned, dried, and stored properly, or single-use disposable options should be used.

The Hidden Costs of Choosing a Disinfectant Based on Price Alone

While budget constraints are a reality for many dental facilities, choosing a disinfectant based on price alone can lead to long-term negative effects on both operational efficiency and patient protection.

Longer Kill Times Reduce Efficiency: Some lower-cost disinfectants come with longer (five minutes or more) contact times, meaning they require more time to kill pathogens. This can slow down room turnover, increase the time between patients, and reduce overall practice efficiency.
Impact on Infection Control and Protection: Lower-priced disinfectants may not offer broad-spectrum efficacy. A disinfectant that is ineffective against emerging threats, such as SARS-CoV-2 variants and Mpox virus (see EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance) or fungal pathogens like Candida auris, can leave your facility vulnerable to infection outbreaks.
Surface Concerns: Some lower-cost products contain harsh chemicals that damage surfaces, causing cracks, crevices, or chips that harbor bacteria and require expensive repairs or replacements. Harsh chemicals may also degrade sensitive dental equipment, reducing its lifespan and causing unnecessary costs. Some disinfectants also leave behind a residue, requiring an additional wiping step, which increases time and labor costs.
Compliance and Regulatory Risks: The CDC, OSHA, and state dental boards have clear infection control guidelines that dental facilities must adhere to. Choosing a disinfectant that doesn’t meet these standards could result in violations and non-compliance fines. More importantly, failure to properly disinfect surfaces could put your patients and staff at risk and may have legal ramifications.

Key Considerations When Selecting a Surface Disinfectant

When selecting a disinfectant, dental practices should prioritize effectiveness, and compliance. According to Dr. William Rutala, an expert in infection control, there are several key attributes to consider when choosing the ideal disinfectant for healthcare facilities:

Fast-Acting (Short Contact Time): Disinfectants with rapid kill times improve efficiency and reduce downtime between patient visits. Fast-acting disinfectants allow for quicker room turnover, ensuring that pathogens are neutralized before surfaces are touched again, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination.
Broad-Spectrum Efficacy: An effective disinfectant must be able to kill a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and emerging threats like SARS-CoV-2 and C. auris. EPA-approved disinfectants that meet these requirements will ensure compliance with infection control guidelines and provide confidence in the product’s ability to protect both patients and staff.
Ease of Use: Choosing the right disinfectant also involves considering the application method. Ready-to-use wipes, for instance, offer a convenient and controlled way to disinfect surfaces, reducing the risk of improper application. It is also important to choose disinfectants that are nontoxic and low odor, as these formulations minimize respiratory irritation and skin sensitivity, promoting a better work environment.
Material Compatibility: Dental equipment and surfaces require special consideration when choosing a disinfectant. It is essential to review the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFUs) to ensure that the disinfectant selected is compatible with dental chairs, operatory surfaces, and sensitive equipment like light handles or suction devices. Using a disinfectant that is not compatible with the materials can cause damage or degradation to these assets.
Stability and Cost Efficiency: An ideal disinfectant should have a long shelf life to prevent waste and allow for bulk purchasing. Additionally, a higher-quality disinfectant with broad-spectrum efficacy may require fewer applications, ultimately saving time and resources in the long run.

Best Practices for Implementing an Effective Disinfection Protocol

An effective surface disinfection protocol in dental facilities goes beyond simply choosing the right disinfectant. It also requires a systematic approach to ensure that staff members are properly trained, and that the workflow supports infection control best practices.

Establishing an Infection Control Program: Create clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that define the frequency of disinfection, the types of surfaces to be cleaned, and compliance monitoring mechanisms. Staff should be trained regularly on how to properly use disinfectants, the correct application techniques, and the established protocols. The CDC also recommends establishing an infection control coordinator to oversee implementation and adherence to practices. Staff compliance is essential because even the right product can be ineffective or harmful if not used correctly.
Optimizing Room Turnover and Workflow: To minimize downtime, it’s important to select disinfectants that strike the right balance between fast-acting and broad efficacy. Additionally, using protective barriers on hard-to-clean surfaces can reduce the need for frequent disinfection, streamlining workflow and enhancing efficiency.
Routine Evaluation of Disinfectant Products and Process: Periodically assess whether the SOPs are being followed and if disinfectants in use are meeting the current needs of the practice and complying with any new regulatory requirements. Emerging infection control threats and innovations in disinfectant formulations may require adaptations in your approach.

Prioritizing Protection and Effectiveness Over Price

The selection of a disinfectant for dental facilities is not a decision that should be based on price alone. While cost considerations are important, the right surface disinfectant enhances infection control, ensures compliance with regulatory standards, and supports both operational efficiency and patient protection. Prioritizing fast-acting, broad-spectrum, and material-compatible disinfectants helps prevent infections, streamline workflow, and optimize room turnover. Combined with a strong infection control program, high-quality disinfectants protect patients and staff while reducing long-term costs, ensuring a clean and effective practice.

For more information on disinfectant products or resources on dental infection prevention, visit the PDI website.

Mofidi, M., & Zhand, N. (2017). Bacterial contamination of dental unit waterlines, air-water syringe tips, and dental chair headrests in a dental teaching clinic. Journal of Infection Prevention, 18(6), 276-280. doi: 10.1177/1757177417727696
Cleveland, J. L., Foster, M., Barker, L., Brown, C. L., & York, A. K. (2017). Hand hygiene practices among dental professionals in the US: An exploratory study. Journal of the American Dental Association, 148(4), 237-245. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2017.01.001