In order to meet the challenges of safety, time management and asepsis, the dental health care provider must have a plan for infection control, including the use and care of dental instruments and disposables. Following the basic CDC guidelines can help to significantly reduce the risk of microbial transmission. After the patient is dismissed, the operatory must be prepared for the next patient, including the treatment of surfaces and instrument processing. There is a variety of methods available to properly reprocess instruments. Choosing a system that minimizes risk, maximizes productivity and preserves instruments is essential.

 Dental handpieces and burs are among the most frequently used mechanical devices in dentistry. Handpieces have evolved from primitive cutting tools introduced in the nineteenth century to highly efficient and sophisticated devices. Traditional handpieces are either air-driven or electrically driven. A more recent introduction utilizes technology from both air-driven and electric handpieces, and includes a control mechanism to adapt torque to clinical situations. Burs for dental procedures typically are fabricated from tungsten carbide or diamond particle coatings, with ceramic and zirconia burs also available. Bur designs include many configurations and sizes, with bur selection depending on the type of procedure, the clinician’s preference and the bur’s overall effectiveness. The selection of an appropriate handpiece and appropriate burs is key for the safe and effective removal of dental hard tissues and caries in an efficient manner that also maximizes ergonomics for the clinician and minimizes patient discomfort. Handpieces and burs become contaminated during dental procedures. To prevent any risk of cross-infection from these devices, all handpieces and burs should be heat sterilized between patients in accordance with the recently published, updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.