According to CDC guidelines, which of the following items are acceptable to disinfect?

Disinfecting non-critical items, which include environmental surfaces, is an important aspect of infection control in dental practices. Non-critical items are those that do not penetrate soft tissue or bone and typically only come into contact with intact skin, such as examination tables, light handles, and countertops. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines specify that these surfaces should be regularly disinfected to reduce the risk of infection transmission.

The correct focus on non-critical items indicates a practical understanding of infection control protocols, as these items are often high-touch surfaces that can harbor pathogens. By regularly disinfecting these surfaces, dental practices aim to create a sanitary environment that protects both patients and staff from potential infections.

In contrast, critical items, which directly contact broken or unbroken mucosa, should undergo sterilization rather than just disinfection due to the higher risk of infection. Semi-critical items that contact mucosa also require sterilization or at least high-level disinfection to ensure safety. Therefore, the acknowledgment of non-critical items as acceptable for disinfection aligns accurately with CDC infection control guidance.