Infection Control
Department of Oral Biology
and Infection Control Research and Services, Indiana
University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, USA.
From an infectious disease
point of view, dentistry has never been safer than
it is today for both patients and the dental team.
This state of affairs has resulted from the establishment
and practice of strict infection control in the office
using the concept of universal precautions. Infection
control consists of a series of procedures directed
at reducing the number of microbes shared among people.
An approach to the management of infection control
involves identification of an office safety coordinator
and total involvement of everyone in the office. The
procedures of infection control can be grouped into
six major areas. 1. Handwashing and gloving provides
protection to both patients and the dental team. 2.
Protection against aerosols and spatter involves the
use of a preprocedure mouthrinse, HVE, rubber dam,
saliva ejection, mask, protective eyewear, and protective
clothing. 3. Instrument processing provides instruments
that are safe for patient use. 4. Surface asepsis
eliminates the involvement of environmental surfaces
in the spread of disease agents. 5. Management of
sharps and other regulated waste reduces the chances
for sharps injuries and contact with potentially infectious
material. 6. Aseptic techniques include aseptic retrieval
of supplies, reducing contamination from dental unit
water, aseptic radiographic procedures, proper use
of disposables, and preventing contamination of the
dental laboratory.
Publication Types:
MeSH Terms:
- Asepsis
- Dental Instruments
- Dental Offices
- Dentistry*
- Equipment Contamination/prevention & control
- Humans
- Infection Control/methods*
- Infection Control/organization & administration
- Laboratories, Dental
- Protective Clothing
- Universal Precautions*
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