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Is it necessary to clean/wipe the rubber membrane of a dental anesthetic cartridge before using it? If this is necessary, can you point me toward the source of the information? Can you also tell me what it is to be cleaned with, if applicable? Thank you.

Ask OSAP can provide you with some general information on this topic.

The CDC Division of Oral Health has provided some general information for when an anesthetic cartridge is used in patient care as follows:

CDC recommends disinfecting the rubber septum on a medication vial with alcohol before piercing. This recommendation is not specific to the rubber diaphragm of anesthetic cartridges. However, some manufacturers of dental anesthetic cartridges may recommend this practice. Use either isopropyl alcohol (91%) or 70% ethyl alcohol, because many commercially available brands of rubbing alcohol, as well as solutions of ethyl alcohol not of U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) grade, contain denaturants that are injurious to rubber. Chemical disinfection should be accomplished just prior to use by wiping the rubber diaphragm thoroughly with a pledge of cotton that has been moistened with recommended alcohol. ¹

If you have further questions, it is recommended that you consult with the product manufacturer’s Instructions For Use (IFU) or contact the product manufacturer directly for further information on this matter. The product manufacturer can provide you with the specific information regarding the use and handling of its product.

Resources

1) E-mail Communication from Michele Junger DDS MPH of CDC to Therese Long of OSAP dated April 22, 2016.