RDA Law and Ethics Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

After a patient's treatment, it is crucial for a dental assistant to clean and sterilize all instruments used during the procedure. This step is essential to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases and to maintain a safe and hygienic environment in the dental practice. Properly cleaning and sterilizing instruments ensures that they are safe for future patients and adheres to the infection control protocols mandated by health regulations.

This action reflects the professional responsibility of the dental assistant to uphold patient safety and hygiene standards. In the dental field, the importance of aseptic techniques cannot be overstated, as they are fundamental in preventing cross-contamination and ensuring the overall safety of both patients and dental staff.

Other options do not prioritize patient safety or appropriate clinical protocol. For instance, leaving the room to attend to paperwork neglects the immediate need for disinfection and infection control. Informing the next patient is also not relevant at this stage, as the priority should be on cleaning the area and instruments post-treatment. Additionally, waiting for further instructions from the dentist may delay essential sanitation procedures. Thus, the immediate responsibility after treatment is focused on cleaning and sterilizing instruments used in the procedure.