EHSE

Association for Dental Safety (ADS)

dental membership association for oral healthcare professionals that focuses on dental infection prevention and patient safety

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

federal agency that conducts and supports health promotion, prevention, and preparedness, with the goal of improving public health

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

federal regulatory agency responsible for protecting and restoring the environment and public health through environmental laws

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

federal regulatory agency that regulates food, drugs, medical devices, animal feed and drugs, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting products (cell phones, lasers, microwaves, etc.)

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

federal agency with the mission to improve oral, dental, and craniofacial health through, research training, and the dissemination of health information

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

federal agency that is nonregulatory and provides national and worldwide leadership to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

one of the world’s foremost research centers supporting scientific studies for better health

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

federal regulatory agency with the mission to ensure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards

acute exposure

high levels of exposure over a short period

chemical

any substance or mixture of substances having a chemical composition and characteristic

chemical inventory

list of all substances used in the office that contain chemicals

chronic exposure

continuous or repeated contact with a substance over a long period

contaminated waste

waste that is contaminated from a potentially infectious body fluid of a patient

flammable

materials that are readily capable of catching fire

hazard class

classification that provides a number or name of hazardous properties that present a potential hazard to human health and safety

hazard statement

statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard

hazardous waste

waste that poses a risk to humans or to the environment if discarded into landfill or poured down the drain

health hazard

chemical, physical, or biological exposure that can affect an employee’s short- or long-term health

infectious waste

waste that includes biologic materials capable of transmitting an infectious disease

label elements

the pictogram, hazard statement, signal word, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category

oxidizers

type of chemical that will react or cause a chemical to react with oxygen causing a severe fire hazard

physical hazard

chemical that can be a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, an explosive material, flammable-reactive, or water-reactive and is a health hazard

pictograms

graphic elements used on a hazard label to identify the specific hazard class and category

precautionary statement

phrase that describes recommended measures to take to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure to a hazardous chemical or the improper storage or handling of a hazardous chemical

product identifier

name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

form provided by the chemical manufacturer that provides printed information regarding the hazards of materials and products that contain chemicals

antiretraction device

mechanism that prevents entry of fluids and microorganisms into waterlines as a result of negative water pressure; also called “suck back”

biofilm

slime-producing bacterial communities that can harbor fungi, algae, and protozoa

colony-forming units (CFUs)

number of separable cells on the surface of a semisolid agar medium that create a visible colony

dental unit waterline (DUWL)

small-bore tubing usually made of plastic, used to deliver water through a dental unit during dental treatment

heterotrophic bacteria

bacteria that use organic carbon as food; protozoa, fungi, and most bacteria fall into this category

immunocompromised

having a weakened immune system

Legionella

bacteria that can cause a certain type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ pneumonia

microfiltration

process by which contaminated fluid is passed through a pore-sized membrane to separate microorganisms

planktonic

describes small organisms that float or drift in bodies of salt water or fresh water

self-contained water reservoir

container attached to a dental unit that is used to hold and supply water or other solutions to handpieces and air-water syringes

carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm associated with continued flexion and extension of the wrist

cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs)

painful conditions that result from ongoing stresses to muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints

ergonomics

study of people in their work environment and how to prevent injuries

maximum horizontal reach

reach created when the upper arm is fully extended

maximum vertical reach

reach created by a vertical sweep of the forearm while the elbow is kept at midtorso level

musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

painful conditions that affect both muscles and bones, such as neck or back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome

neutral position

position of the body to maintain for a prolonged period, with a natural curvature of the spine

normal horizontal reach

reach created by a sweep of the forearm with the upper arm held at the side

sprains

injuries caused by sudden twisting or wrenching of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments

strains

injuries caused by extreme stretching of muscles or ligaments

thenar eminence

fleshy mound on the palm at the base of the thumb