Q. How long have I got to comply with the decontamination guidance from the Department of Health?

In October 2008 the Department of Health published new guidance for primary care dentistry in the form of a Health Technical Memorandum, HTM 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices. It has been superceded by a newer version that was published in April 2009. It comprises two sections: Decontamination Policy and foreword - Advice to dentists and practice staff. this document is available to download from the Department of Health website.
The section on Engineering and technology has yet to be added. The complete version of HTM 01-05 will then be made available in hard copy as well as electronically.

The guidance aims to progressively raise the quality of instrument decontamination in primary care dental services, by supporting a programme of continuous improvement. It is intended to advance good practice and is intended to be used, by all members of a dental team.

The Department of Health is now following up this guidance with a national survey looking at the whole process of decontamination of instruments. The national survey will establish baseline data for the current quality of existing decontamination measures. Further survey work may be initiated after dental practices have had the opportunity to identify gaps, implement any changes and have started to work towards best practice. At present, there is no identified timescale to initiate the further work.

The Chief Dental Officer's letter about decontamination can be found here.