I want to know what this particular thing is and how dental offices work?

i went into the dental office recently and the dental assistant dropped something on the floor that was opened from an autoclave bag and then she put it on the counter into a peg hole along with other ones that looked similar to it. this item was shiny and about two inches long basically a rod, i couldn't tell if it had a sharp or blunt end. i did make a complaint to the dentist office thru email, but i'm not sure how offices work and if i made a bad call. do they typically leave dirty objects on the counter along with parts that look like it? do you think that these were drill bits?

she wasn't wearing gloves at all, i thought it was for the drill but i am not too sure

No matter what it was, if it came out of an autoclave bag, it had been sterilized for a reason. Anything that touches the floor should never be placed on the counter along side other steril instruments. As well as any dirty instruments should not be left in an operatory during another procedure. Protocol is that she should have either left it and retrieved another for use, or picked it up and removed it, then re-washed her hands and re-gloved then opened another bag. You had every right to make a complaint and more patients should take notice as you have. Good for you!

Additional information: "No gloves" and she was handling sterile instrument bags and most likely the instruments too. What was the point of autoclaving then? For your sake I'm glad this was reported and maybe some good will come of it, if it reaches the right person. Make sure you pay attention when your there next time, or start asking questions and know what to expect for an answer. If your dentist can't clean it up, find one who can. Good luck!

Additional information: If these were an inch or two long, shiny metal, cylinder shaped items that she was placing into a peg board like block, they were dental burs that attach to the dental drill and are used to prep the teeth, these should be sterilized prior to use.

they put them on there so they know those need to be cleaned and sterilized, what did you think they used them on other people? there are board of health regulations and it is much cheaper on them to re-sterilize than pay a huge fine.