Infection Control and Microbiology in Dental Science

Infection Control

Practices to prevent disease transmission in healthcare.

Occupational Health

Health and safety measures for workers in environments.

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Exam Weight

This section constitutes 16% of the written exam.

Microbiology

Study of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease in hosts.

Dental Caries

Decay caused by bacterial infection in teeth.

Periodontal Disease

Infection affecting the structures around teeth.

Nonpathogenic

Microorganisms that do not cause human illness.

Spontaneous Generation

Theory that life arises from nonliving matter.

Antony van Leeuwenhoek

First to observe microorganisms using a microscope.

Animalcules

Term used by van Leeuwenhoek for microorganisms.

John Tyndall

Explained prolonged heating to destroy microbial life.

Tyndallization

Intermittent heating method to kill heat-stable bacteria.

Endospores

Heat-stable forms of certain bacteria, discovered by Cohn.

Joseph Lister

Pioneered antiseptic techniques in surgery using carbolic acid.

Robert Koch

Developed techniques for isolating pure bacterial cultures.

Petri Plates

Two-part dishes for growing bacteria, named after Koch.

Louis Pasteur

Disproved spontaneous generation; linked microorganisms to disease.

Swan Neck Flask

Pasteur's design preventing dust contamination in experiments.

Germ Theory of Disease

Theory linking microorganisms to specific diseases.

Koch's Postulates

Four criteria to establish causative relationships in diseases.

Pure Culture

Microorganisms grown in isolation from other organisms.

Inoculation

Introducing a microorganism into a host for study.

Pasteurization

Heating process to kill pathogens in food and drink.

Rabies Vaccine

First vaccine developed by Pasteur for rabies.

Microbial Agent

Specific microorganism responsible for causing a disease.

Susceptible Animal

Animal that can contract a disease from a pathogen.

Royal Society of London

Scientific society where van Leeuwenhoek reported findings.

Carbolic Acid

Antiseptic used by Lister to reduce infection risk.

Acid-producing Bacteria

Bacteria that spoil wine, addressed by Pasteur.

50° F to 60° F

Temperature range for destroying wine contaminants.

Bacterial Diseases

Infections caused by pathogenic bacteria.

Pandemic Disease Effects

Widespread disease impacts on health and society.

Microorganism Isolation

Process of separating specific microorganisms for study.

Inoculation

Introducing pathogens into a host organism.

Rabies

Viral disease preventable by vaccination.

Microorganisms

Living organisms too small to be seen without a microscope.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms with diverse shapes and functions.

Algae

Photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments.

Protozoa

Single-celled organisms lacking a rigid cell wall.

Fungi

Organisms including yeasts and molds, lacking chlorophyll.

Viruses

Infectious agents that require host cells to replicate.

Host Cells

Cells invaded by viruses for replication.

Prions

Infectious proteins causing neurodegenerative diseases.

Normal Flora

Harmless bacteria residing in the human body.

Opportunistic Infection

Infection caused by normally harmless organisms.

Cystitis

Urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli.

Cocci

Spherical-shaped bacteria.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Spirochetes

Spiral-shaped bacteria capable of movement.

Streptococci

Cocci that form chains.

Staphylococci

Cocci that form clusters.

Gram Staining

Technique to classify bacteria based on cell wall properties.

Gram Positive

Bacteria that retain crystal violet stain, appearing purple.

Gram Negative

Bacteria that do not retain the stain, appear colorless.

Gram Variable

Bacteria that stain inconsistently.

Aerobes

Bacteria requiring oxygen for growth.

Anaerobes

Bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen.

Facultative Anaerobes

Bacteria that can grow with or without oxygen.

Capsule

Protective layer covering some bacteria.

Spores

Highly resistant forms of bacteria under unfavorable conditions.

Rickettsiae

Bacteria requiring host cells, transmitted by insects.

Typhus

Disease caused by rickettsiae.

Algal Pigments

Compounds giving algae their color.

Cysts

Dormant forms of protozoa resistant to environmental stress.

Candida

Common yeast causing opportunistic infections.

Oral Candidiasis

Infection caused by Candida in the oral cavity.

Nystatin

Topical antifungal used to treat candidiasis.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Rare neurodegenerative disorder associated with prions.

Provirus

Viral DNA integrated into host cell's nucleic acid.

Latent Virus

Dormant virus that can reactivate.

HIV

Virus infecting CD4 cells, leading to AIDS.

Cytomegalovirus

Virus causing severe complications during pregnancy.

Viral Mutation

Changes in virus that enhance survival.

Hepatitis A

Viral infection spread via fecal-oral route.

Hepatitis B

Serious blood-borne viral infection.

Hepatitis C

Bloodborne virus with no available vaccine.

Fecal-Oral Transmission

Spread of disease through fecal matter

Vaccine

Biological preparation providing immunity against diseases.

Antimicrobial Therapy

Treatment targeting microbial infections.

Infectious Disease

Illness caused by pathogenic microorganisms.

Spongiform Encephalopathies

Prion diseases causing brain damage.

Sodium Hydroxide Sterilization

Method recommended to inactivate prions.

Dental Caries

Tooth decay caused by bacteria.

Lyme Disease

Disease caused by spirochetes transmitted by ticks.

Tuberculosis

Infection caused by bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Endocarditis

Infection of heart valves, often caused by bacteria.

Pneumonia

Lung infection caused by various pathogens.

Cure

Virus undetectable in blood after 3 months post-treatment.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV)

Defective virus needing HBV for replication.

Coinfection

Simultaneous infection with HBV and HDV.

Acute disease severity

Coinfection leads to worse outcomes than HBV alone.

HBV vaccination

Prevents infection with Hepatitis D virus.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV)

Transmitted via fecal-oral route, not blood.

HEV transmission

Common in developing countries through contaminated food.

HIV infection

Blood-borne disease causing immune system breakdown.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Condition caused by HIV leading to severe infections.

T cells

Immune cells targeted and destroyed by HIV.

HIV transmission

Spread through sexual contact and needle sharing.