Infection Control for the Dental Assistant Lesson No.2

Patient medical history

It is an invaluable document, it is not reliable as a sole method of identifying all infectious patients

Carrier

An individual who carries a disease organism without demonstrating symptoms of the disease

Incubation period

The amount of times that it takes for an infectious disease to enter an individual exhibits symptoms of the disease

Diseases with particular potential to be spread in the dental office

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, AIDS, Herpes Simplex, and Tuberculosis

Disease

A disorder of structure or function in a human, plant, or animal. A disease typically causes some form of cellular disorder or function

Leison

A broad term which encompasses tumors, ulcers, sores, and tissue damage

Pathogen

An agent that causes disease such as a virus, fungus or bacterium

Virulence

The power of a microorganism to produce disease

What are three conditions that must be present for disease to occur

Susceptible host, pathogen, pathogen of sufficient virulence

Etiology

The cause of a disease

What is determining the etiology of a disease

Gender, environmental factors, and genetic factors

Tuberculosis

A disease of chronic inflammation caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is transmitted via inhalation of airborne droplets of blood or saliva. Proper utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and proper disinfection of contaminated surfaces will protect the dental professional from infection

Herpes Simplex Labialis (HSV-1)

This disease causes painful lesions around the mouth and lips. These lesions are comprised of serum filled blisters, called vesicles which eventually burst, ulcerate and scab over a period of 5-10 days. These lesions are infective until completely healed. Utilization of PPE and avoiding direct contact with herpetic lesions will protect the dental care provider from transmission of this disease

Hepatitis B (HBV)

This disease poses a true risk to dental professionals due to its ability to spread. Hep B or serum hepatitis can be transmitted via bodily fluids other than blood such as saliva, semen or vaginal fluids. The dental professional can be protected by getting the HBV vaccine, proper use of PPE and disinfection of contaminated surfaces

Hepatitis C (HCB)

This chronic liver disease can be transmitted through blood transfusions, contaminated sharps, sexual transmission and from infected mother to infant during childbirth. The dental profession can be protected from this disease by proper use of PPE, disinfecting contaminated surfaces and being prudent not to get “stuck” with contaminated sharp dental instruments

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)/ Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

AIDS is caused by the HIV virus. AIDS/ HIV can be transmitted via sexual contact, contaminated sharps and needles, and mother to infant via childbirth. The dental professional can be protected from this disease by proper use of PPE and disinfection of contaminated surfaces. It is very important that contaminated dental sharps are handled carefully during and after dental procedures when dealing with HIV/ AIDS infected patients.

How should hair be done?

Should be pulled back and secured to prevent falling forward or into operating field

How should nails be done?

Should be clean, short and free of polish

How should uniforms look?

Should have sleeves short enough to easily wash hands and forearms. An over garment should cover all areas that are susceptible to being sprayed or splashed by bodily fluids. The over garment must be removed prior to leaving the dental office and laundered at a temperature of between 140-160 degrees separately from other items

Can jewelry be worn?

Watches, rings and bracelets must be removed prior to the donning of PPE. It is impossible to remove bacteria from these items and can potentially carry infectious microorganisms

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

PPE is designed to protect the Dental Health Care Professional’s skin and mucous membrane from blood saliva and other potentially infectious material

According to the Office Safety and Asepsis Procedures Recommend PPE to be applied in what sequence?

1. Eyewear

2. Facemask

3. Gloves

What do gloves help minimize?

The cross contamination from patient to patient

What are the different type of gloves?

Vinyl, latex, surgical, overgloves, heavy utility, and nitrile

What are different types of protective garments?

Disposable and reusable gowns

What are the different type of face and eye protection?

Facemask, protective eyewear, and face shields

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The Federal agency that has the role of providing the information and enforcement for the health and safety and employees in the work place

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

AN agency whose role is to study infectious disease and provide information and recommendations regarding them

Biohazardous

Material that are potentially infectious and capable of causing disease

Sharps

Materials or instruments that are capable of cutting or puncturing tissue

Hazardous

Materials that have the potential to make the work are dangerous or less safe when present or discarded

Corrosive

Materials in this category typically have a pH of either eyes, nose, throat or respiratory system

Toxic

These chemicals have been demonstrated to cause serious systemic problems in ingested or inhaled. These materials can also cause contact dermatitis

Biohazardous Waste Disposal

Items that are contaminated and have the potential to cause disease must be discarded in clearly marked biohazard leak proof bags

Nonregulated Waste Disposal

Contaminated items that are not considered to contain enough biohazardous material to cause disease are considered to be infectious. These items must be discarded in a refuse bag that is labeled to be contaminated waste

hazardous Chemicals that may be found in a Dental setting are?

Mercury, Formaldehyde, Methyl Methacrylate, Diatomaceous earth, and Gypsum

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Required by OSHA for any chemical that is supplied in a bottle, can, or bad. Information should include product name, manufacturer’s name and telephone number. These documents only need to be kept for biologically hazardous materials and should be kept in the procedures manual

OSHA regulations for infectious waste materials and designed to protect employees from?

Becoming exposed to the hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or the human immune deficiency virus (HIV)

Surfaces are sprayed with what type of solution?

Aqueous Iodofor solution

Bloodborne Pathogens Standards

This standard applies to all occupational exposures to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)

Universal Precautions

All patients are treated as if they had a contagious infectious disease

Housekeeping Management

Work site must be maintained clean and sanitary

Sharps injury log

A written or electronic log that records an exposure incident within 14 days of its occurrence

Other regulated waste (Medical Waste)

For disposal of medical waste materials , the local environmental protection agency should be contacted so that the correct methods are utilized

Non regulated waster

Waste that is not infectious or dangerous. This type of waste may be discarded in an unmarked lined container

Occupational exposire

When an employee is exposed to any blood, OPIM, HepB, HepC, HIV

Medical Record Keeping

The employee is obligated to ensure that all employees with occupational exposure participate in a training program at no cost to employee during working hours

Communication of Hazards to Empolyees

Containers that hold contaminated regulated wast must display biohazard labels