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The process of cleaning instruments before sterilization is best described by the term decontamination. Decontamination involves the removal of contaminants, including blood, saliva, and other debris from dental instruments. This process is crucial because it prepares the instruments for effective sterilization, ensuring that any microbial life is reduced to safe levels.

Sanitization generally refers to the reduction of microbial load to safe levels, often through cleaning and chemical means, but it does not guarantee the instruments will be completely free of pathogens. Disinfection refers to the process of killing a significant number of microorganisms, but may not entirely remove all contaminants. Sterilization is the complete elimination of all forms of microbial life, including spores, but this comes after the decontamination process is already done. Thus, decontamination is the appropriate term that encompasses the initial cleaning required to make instruments safe for subsequent sterilization.