At Aspen Dental Care, every reusable instrument is sterilised in our Class B autoclave to EN 13060 — the highest standard recognised by European and Indian infection control bodies. Not Class N. Not Class S. Class B.
The Technology
EN 13060 is the European standard that classifies small steam sterilisers into three types: Class N (basic — unwrapped solid instruments only), Class S (intermediate — some hollow/wrapped loads), and Class B (the highest — validated for all instrument types including porous, hollow, and wrapped loads). Class B replicates the full sterilisation capability of a large hospital autoclave in a small-format machine.
At Aspen Dental Care, we use only Class B autoclaves because every instrument that enters your mouth deserves surgical-grade sterility — regardless of its complexity. This protects you against cross-infection from bacteria, viruses (including hepatitis B/C and HIV), prions, and bacterial spores.
Understanding the Standard
Not all dental clinics sterilise to the same level. The EN 13060 classification system makes the difference clear and measurable.
| Capability | Class N | Class S | Class B (Aspen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid, unwrapped instruments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hollow instruments (Type A) | ✗ | Partial | ✓ |
| Hollow instruments (Type B — e.g. handpieces) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Porous loads (e.g. textiles, gauze) | ✗ | Limited | ✓ |
| Wrapped / packaged instruments | ✗ | Partial | ✓ |
| Pre-vacuum (air removal) | ✗ | Partial | ✓ — Mandatory |
| Drying phase included | ✗ | Sometimes | ✓ — Always |
| Printed cycle validation | ✗ | Optional | ✓ — Every cycle |
| Suitable for dental handpieces | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| SAL (Sterility Assurance Level) | 10⁻⁴ (basic) | 10⁻⁵ (intermediate) | 10⁻⁶ (surgical grade) 🏥 |
Step-by-Step
From the moment an instrument is used to the moment it is placed in your mouth again — every step is controlled, validated, and traceable.
Scope of Sterilisation
Class B is the only standard capable of sterilising the full range of instruments used in modern dentistry. Here is exactly what goes through our autoclave.
Quality Assurance
A Class B autoclave is only as trustworthy as the validation programme that proves it is working correctly. We run a rigorous, multi-layered validation protocol — every day.
Single-Use Commitment
Where single-use is clinically possible, we use it. These items are disposed of after every patient — never reprocessed, never shared.
Beyond the Autoclave
Instrument sterilisation is the core — but a complete infection control system requires every surface, every breath of air, and every moment between patients to be managed.
Your Safety Experience
Transparency is part of our infection control commitment. You are entitled to see our sterility evidence — and we encourage you to ask.
Why Aspen Dental Care
Many clinics have a steriliser. Far fewer have a validated Class B programme, documented protocols, and the culture of transparency that makes infection control real rather than assumed.
Questions Answered
Book a consultation and experience dentistry where every instrument meets hospital-grade sterility standards — every time, without exception.