Guidelines and policies for infection control in dental laboratories

Introduction: Recommendations for infection control in dental laboratories have evolved as an integral part of guidelines for infection risk management in oral health facilities. With the advancement of science and technology, as well as under the influence of significant events that have had an impact on public health, these recommendations have changed from brief instructions for cleaning prosthetic structures to a comprehensive policy for infection risk control in dental laboratory practice. Aim: The aim of this report is to present a historical overview and analysis of the development of guidelines and policies for infection control in dentistry with a focus on dental laboratories. Materials and Methods: A search was conducted for published policies and evidence-based guidelines for infection control in dentistry and dental laboratories from health and professional organizations in Europe and the United States of America (USA). The search was conducted in July 2025, in English and Bulgarian, in the electronic databases PubMed, Research gate, Google Scholar, and on the official websites of the respective organizations. Results and Discussion: Seventeen documents containing policies or guidelines for infection control in dental facilities were found and assessed. Eight of these contained specific recommendations for infection control in the dental laboratory. They concerned topics such as: disinfection and sterilization of materials, instruments, equipment and environment; personal protective equipment; communication and coordination between the laboratory and the dental office; written infection control policy; vaccination policy; infection control training; waste management. There are no such specific Bulgarian guidelines. Conclusion: Modern guidelines represent comprehensive standards for infection prevention. Their effectiveness depends on systematic updating and integration of new scientific evidence and technological achievements. In Bulgaria, there is a need for specific national guidelines for dental laboratories to support the implementation of established standards and good practices.