Monthly Archives: June 2026
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June 17, 2026
Instrument reprocessing is intended to follow a linear, one-way workflow. The process moves from contaminated to clean, then inspected, packaged, labelled, sterilized, cooled, inspected again, and stored. Each step prepares the item for the next step, and the workflow should not move backward once the item has progressed forward.
For this reason, labelling belongs before sterilization. The label is part of packaging and load preparation. It connects the package to the sterilization record, including the date processed, sterilizer used, load or cycle information, and the individual responsible for packaging. Once the package has been sterilized, the focus is no longer to “work on” the package; it is to protect the sterile barrier, allow the package to cool, inspect it, and store it appropriately.
The expected workflow is:
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June 02, 2026
I started using the term ‘Learning Dodger’ a few years ago when I began to notice a pattern among some dental professionals. They weren’t disengaged entirely, and they weren’t necessarily poor clinicians, but something was missing. They avoided growth opportunities, skipped over new ideas, and resisted updating their knowledge. I didn’t know what to call it at first, but the phrase dodging learning seemed to fit.
It’s also a concept I wrestle with personally. As someone currently completing a BA in Adult Education, I can’t get enough of learning, I’m always looking forward to my next “educational fix.” For me, growth feels energizing, not exhausting. So when I encounter professionals dodging learning, I find myself both curious and concerned. Why would someone resist something that fuels so much professional pride and purpose?
Dentistry and dental hygiene are professions rooted in science, technology, and evidence-based care. From infection prevention to new p
