Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to assess the current status of sterilization record management in dental clinics and propose measures to establish a systematic sterilization log management framework. Materials and Methods: To examine the status of sterilization management, an online survey was conducted among members of the Korean Dental Association from May to June 2024. A total of 261 responses were analyzed. Frequency analysis was used to examine the general characteristics of respondents and the features of steriliza- tion log creation and storage. Differences by type of medical institution were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: Regarding sterilization log creation, 26.8% of respondents reported that they keep such records. Among them, 72.0% of dental hospitals and 22.0% of dental clinics reported doing so, with a statistically significant dif- ference (p<0.05). For sterilization log management, 24.5% reported that they manage it, with dental hospitals at 72.0% and dental clinics at 19.5%, showing a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Regarding sterilization log retention, the overall rate was 67.1%, with 83.3% for dental hospitals and 61.5% for dental clinics, also showing a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: Sterilization logs hold significance beyond mere recordkeeping, serving as foundational data for quality management in healthcare and ensuring patient safety. The introduction of standardized forms, enhance- ment of governmental support systems, and implementation of integrated management strategies should be dis- cussed at the policy level. (J Korean Dent Assoc 2025; 63(8): 234-242)