FDA recommends that reusable dental drill handpieces  be heat-sterilized between patients to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Although no documented cases of disease transmission have been associated with contaminated dental handpieces, the American Dental Association also recommends sterilization of these instruments between patients. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that dental handpieces be autoclaved at 134 C minimum 3 minutes. Chemical desinfection is not recommended.

The only exception to this is the use of disposable prophy angles on the slow speed handpiece motors. In this case, the handpiece must be covered with a tubing cover leaving only the disposable prophy angle exposed.

Handpieces should not be cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners, not should they be disinfected by immersion in glutaraldehyde solutions.