Beyond the Steriliser
Why Air Removal & Steam Penetration Matter in Dental Practices
With the release of AS 5369:2023, functionality and routine testing of sterilisation processes have become highly topical for dental practices. Ensuring that steam reaches every surface of an instrument is critical for patient safety. This article briefly outlines the principles of air removal and steam penetration and explains how routine monitoring with a Process Challenge Device (PCD) helps meet the requirements of the new standard.
Getting Steam Where It Needs to Go
Steam sterilisation only works if steam reaches all instrument surfaces - including every pack and pouch, and inside hollow handpieces, turbine bodies, and other lumened instruments. Any residual air or non-condensable gases act as a barrier. Research shows, even small air pockets can block steam from penetrating hollow instruments, leaving hidden areas unsterile. This is why air removal and steam penetration are the real tests of a steriliser’s performance - not just reaching a set temperature.
Why Dentists Should Care
- Dental instruments often have narrow lumens and joints where steam struggles to enter.
- A cycle that “runs” doesn’t guarantee sterilisation if steam hasn’t penetrated properly.
- Patient safety depends on making sure every instrument is truly sterile.
Daily Monitoring with a Process Challenge Device
- To prove your steriliser is doing its job, use a Process Challenge Device (PCD) - a test piece that mimics the toughest-to-sterilise instrument.
- Daily air removal steam penetration test: After the vacuum test and before your “live loads,” place the PCD in an empty chamber in your steriliser and run the functionality test (Bowie Dick Test or Helix Test) to verify complete air removal and steam penetration and ensure the steriliser is ready to function for the day.
- Routine monitoring: Build confidence that every instrument in every load is safe.
Why GKE PCDs Lead the Way
Not all PCDs are equal. Some cheaper plastic devices degrade, warp, or fail to mimic real dental instruments.
The GKE PCD is different:
- Durability – withstands repeated use without losing accuracy.
- Stainless steel design – mimics real instruments; unlike plastic, it accurately replicates heat transfer and steam condensation for reliable testing.
- Worst-case simulation – replicates hollow handpieces and lumens.
- Trusted worldwide – validated through extensive research.
- Cost-effective over time – long lifespan compared with disposable or plastic alternatives.
- Meets AS 5369:2023 requirements – a PCD for a benchtop steriliser must conform to ISO 11140-6 in accordance with AS5369:2023.
If your steriliser passes the GKE PCD, you know your instruments are safe.
Takeaway for Your Practice
Reliable sterilisation means more than pressing “start.”
✔ Air must be removed.
✔ Steam must penetrate.
✔ Every cycle must be monitored to a hollow level.
With the GKE PCD, dentists can be confident they are protecting their patients, their staff, and their practice.