What are the main public health risks associated with reusable instruments?

Any medical or dental procedure that has the potential to transfer infectious tissue between patients must be regarded as a potential health risk. The principal concern for dental instruments is that improper sterilization might lead to the transfer of tissues with the potential to cause infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C, and variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD).