Infection Control and Personal Protection Equipment in Dental Hygiene

Vocabulary flashcards covering dental hygiene infection control, OSHA standards, hazard identification, types of immunity, PPE procedures, and waterline safety.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; a division of the U.S. Department of Labor whose purpose is to ensure the protection of employee safety through the enforcement of standards or regulations.

MSDS Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets containing information on all chemical products used in the dental office or clinic.

Blue Hazard Identification Symbol

Represents a Health hazard on hazardous chemical labeling.

Red Hazard Identification Symbol

Represents a Fire hazard on hazardous chemical labeling.

Yellow Hazard Identification Symbol

Represents a Reactivity hazard on hazardous chemical labeling.

White Hazard Identification Symbol

Represents a Special hazard on hazardous chemical labeling.

Standard Precautions

The practice of treating all patients as if they are infected with a contagious disease to protect clinicians and patients from pathogens transmitted by blood and bodily fluids.

Natural Immunity

Immunity acquired when an individual is exposed to a pathogen, stimulating the immune system to produce specific antibodies and destroy the pathogen.

Artificial or Active Immunity

Immunity achieved through vaccinations or immunizations that stimulate the immune system to produce specific antibodies without causing the disease.

Passive Immunity

Temporary immunity that develops in infants from antibodies provided by the mother.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Attire and gear designed to protect the clinician's skin, eyes, nose, mucous membranes, and clothing from biohazardous materials in the workplace.

Wicked PPE

A compromised PPE state caused by moisture produced by the operator.

Mask Filtration Requirement

A face mask standard requiring a $95\%$ BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) with a $1\text{ to }3\,\text{micron}$ particle filtration level.

Surgical Mask Replacement Rate

Masks must be changed for each patient, every hour, or more often if used in a moist/wet environment such as when using an ultrasonic scaler.

Utility Gloves

A specific type of heavy-duty glove used when handling sharp instruments.

PPE Donning Sequence

The step-by-step order for putting on PPE: Perform hand hygiene, put on Gown, put on Mask, put on Protective eyewear, perform hand hygiene again, and Don gloves.

PPE Doffing Sequence

The step-by-step order for removing PPE: Remove gloves, Remove Gown (inside out), Leave operatory and perform hand hygiene, Put on new gloves to remove and disinfect eyewear, Remove mask, Remove gloves, and Perform hand hygiene.

Biofilm

Colonies of cell growth that attach to the wet inner surfaces of small tubing, developing into a slime matrix up to $400\,\mu m$ thick that serves as a reservoir for pathogens.

ADA Waterline Standard

The standard stating that water used during patient treatment should contain no more than $500\,\text{CFU/ml}$ (colony-forming units).

Dental Waterline Flushing Protocol

The process of flushing waterlines for $1\text{ to }2\,\text{minutes}$ prior to patient treatment and $20\text{ to }30\,\text{seconds}$ between patients.