Field Testing of a Commercially Available Pressure Cooker for Sterilizing Medical and Dental Instruments in an Austere Environment

During the military's Dental Civic Action Plan (DENTCAP) or civilian dental humanitarian missions in austere locations, one of the leading challenges is proper sterilization of medical and dental instruments. The military-standard sterilization equipment may be difficult or impossible to transport in harsh conditions. Electricity may be unavailable or available only intermittently. Instruments not intended for reuse may need to be reused. Sterilization equipment that is easy to transport, rugged, and effective when used with simple heat sources, such as a portable propane burner or a wood fire, can support the mission when standard equipment will not. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an ordinary, non-electric pressure cooker, heated and pressurized over a simple heat source, for sterilization of dental instruments in austere locations.