ObjectiveTo compare the effect of manual and ultrasonic cleaning methods on small dental instruments, so as to provide reference for selecting the best cleaning method on dental instruments.MethodsContaminated small dental instruments were cleaned by manual (group A) and ultrasonic cleaning method (group B) respectively. The cleaning effect were determined by naked eye observation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and residual protein before and after cleaning.ResultsNaked eye observation: the cleaning qualified rate in group A and B was 100.00%(26/26) and 65.38%(17/26) respectively, there was significant different between two groups (χ2=20.61, P<0.001); ATP testing: relative light unit in group A and B was 156±50 and 1 089±663 respectively,there was significant difference between two groups(t=4.84, P<0.01);residual protein testing:the cleaning qualified rate in group A and B was 92.31%(24/26) and 96.15%(25/26) respectively, there was no significant difference between two groups(χ2=0.13, P>0.05).ConclusionBoth manual and ultrasonic cleaning methods can achieve ideal effect on cleaning of small dental instruments,but manual cleaning is superior to ultrasonic cleaning method.