In the past, dental equipment was designed for function and esthetics with little regard for the potential for cross-contamination. Recent advances in equipment technology are making all forms of treatment equipment much easier to disinfect and sterilize. The use of barrier materials and effective sterilizing and disinfecting agents has further enhanced the capability of the dental staff to provide truly aseptic conditions in the treatment room. The overriding factor in all aspects of equipment sterilization and asepsis will continue to be practicality and cost. Protection procedures cannot completely overshadow delivery of quality patient care. Costs to the patient must be minimized, while allowing practitioners to provide optimum service. Common sense and experience will dictate practical standards and the profession must use all available means to assure that the standards are followed.