Products
Dental Product Shopper Review's Dukal's Self-Sealing Sterilization Pouches
Don't leave the hygiene of your instruments to chance. Our sterilization pouches are equipped with built-in internal and external process indicators that change color when sterilization is complete. View product
If one thing has become abundantly clear since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that infection control and sterilization procedures are essential to ensuring the success of a dental practice. Besides disinfecting operatories and surfaces, dental professionals must clean and sterilize instruments between patients, choosing reliable processes and products that protect the instruments, patients, and staff.
One product that has proven its reliability is Dukal’s Sterilization Pouch, which is used to seal instruments during steam or ethylene oxide sterilization procedures. Available in multiple sizes to fit a variety of instruments, the self-sealing pouches are durable, easy to use, and feature built-in process indicators. They come in boxes of 200, are lead-free, and are not made with natural rubber latex.
When Amy Corder, RDH, tried the 3.5-inch x 10- inch Dukal Sterilization Pouches, she was impressed that the “bags are easy to open and didn’t rip when taking off the protective tape.” She said, “The triple seals around each bag are extra protective, and the color indicators are easy to read.” Deciding that she “likes these bags better than our regular ones we had been using,” Corder said she was “confident that instruments were sterilized.”
Quality of Seal & Ease of Opening
The self-sealing pouch has a perforated tab for easy folding and to help maintain its seal, and the bag has a thumb notch for easy opening. Dr. Donald Roman said he liked the “ease of use and ease of removing the tape seal for closure.” Dr. Etta Lobel agreed that the tab over the adhesive strip comes off easily without ripping, and Dr. Brandon Tiek suggested that the tear-away strip should have more texture. Noting that her existing pouches are hard to tear apart to open, hygienist Sarah Hester found the Dukal pouches much easier to open and said, “The bags are durable, easy to open, and have a very clear indicator change.” Judy Maneely, RDH, had trouble closing the pouches on the dotted line and said the paper side sometimes tore when she was opening a bag, and a couple hygienists suggested a stickier adhesive. Stating that the Dukal pouches were a good size and easy to use, Dr. Ronald Widen said the sealing strip was easy to peel and the pouch stayed sealed. Hygienist Paula Tillotson suggested that sealing directions could be printed on the bag.
Testimonials
"It is very simple and effective sterilizing pouch that fits hand instruments well."
- Brandon Tiek, DDS
Carmel, IN
"The sealing strip was easy to peel and the pouch stayed sealed
- Ronald Widen, DDS
Chicago, IL
"The triple seals around each bag are extra protective, and the color indicators are easy to read"
- Amy Corder, RDH
Milford, OH
"The bags are durable, easy to open, and have a very clear indicator change."
- Sarah Hester, RDH
Tucson, AZ
Internal and External Indicators
The Dukal Sterilization Pouches are equipped with built-in internal and external process indicators that change color when sterilization is complete, and a blue see-through film makes it easy to see inside the pouch. Many hygienists commented on how the indicators were very clear and easy to read, including Misty McCans, who liked how the indicators changed color after sterilization, and Tillotson, who said, “The internal and external indicators are very good; they pop and are easy to see and read.” She also mentioned that the packages dry quickly after being sterilized with steam pressure. Noting that the indicators definitely showed a color change, Dr. Widen said he “would like to have assurance that the indicators only respond to time, temperature, and proper pressure before changing color.” When asked if she was assured that her instruments were completely sterilized after using the Dukal pouches, dental assistant Stephanie Mendez replied, “Yes, after sterilization I checked that the steam indicator on the pouches turned a grayish color.” Dr. Tiek shared, “The indicators are great, and the size and length of this pouch (3.5 x 10 inches) fit instruments well.”
Durability of Pouch
The Dukal Sterilization Pouches are constructed of rugged medical-grade paper that guards against tears and perforations, while a triple seal keeps instruments from piercing the pouch. After using “other pouches that got pierced by the instruments easily,” Mendez determined, “These pouches were sturdy and didn’t get pierced by instruments.” Stating that she “liked these pouches,” Dr. Lobel said, “The pouches held up well even when they were damp after sterilization,” while Dr. Roman said the paper sometimes tore if the instruments were slightly wet. Calling the bags very durable, Corder said the pouches did not rip when removing the tape, and McCans said the thickness of the paper should be improved so the bags don’t tear as easily. “The bags are sturdy and open with ease,” shared Rhonda Smith, RDH. “They serve the purpose well and work much better than many of the generic brands.”
Overall Satisfaction
All of the hygienists and dentists who participated in this DPS evaluation said they would recommend the Dukal Sterilization Pouches to their colleagues, including Mendez, who said, “The pouches worked as they were supposed to.” Dr. Tiek concluded, “It is a very simple and effective sterilizing pouch that fits hand instruments well.”
Takeaways
- Self-sealing pouch has perforated tab for easy folding and to help maintain seal
- Internal and external indicators turn color when sterilization is complete
- Rugged medical-grade paper guards against tears and perforations
- Blue see-through film allows for easy visibility inside pouch
- Available in multiple sizes for use with steam and ETO sterilization
Review completed by Dental Product Shopper, 6/11/2021
