The Bowie-Dick test verifies complete removal of air from the sterilizer chamber and checks for air leaks during the sterilization cycle. Some dental clinics were using the DART weekly. This test should be accomplished daily. These tests are a significant part of your sterility assurance program because achieving the proper vacuum is critical to the use of the shorter cycle times that are the selling point for pre-vacuum sterilizers. We have received reports of patients in USAF dental clinics experiencing immediate sensitivity reactions from contact with the providers gloves, and we have had reports of dental assistants who are no longer able to assist due to allergic reactions.
Most manufacturers sell commercial test packs for large floor standing sterilizers.
However, there are no commercial test packs for table-top sterilizers. You can make your own test pack by placing a selection of old instruments on a tray or in a cassette. Choose instruments and additional items that would be representative of the types of items normally sterilized, including surgical forceps, elevators, scissors, scalers, cotton gauze, cotton rolls, etc. The test pack should be run during a normal load that includes other packs being processed for patient use. When the sterilization cycle is completed, retrieve the spore test from the test pack.