Cleaning is an essential first step before sterilization and disinfection. Cleaning is defined as the removal of visible soil, blood, proteins, microorganisms, and other debris from surfaces, crevices, serrations, joints, and lumens, or instruments, devices, and equipment.

Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) is an approach to oral health care that requires the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence, relating to the patient's oral and medical condition and history,