Dental Infection Control!

Infectious Agent

A microorganism that causes disease

Dental Infectious Agent Example

Hepatitis B virus

Reservoir

Where microorganisms live and multiply

Dental Reservoir Example

Saliva, blood, oral cavity

Portal of Exit

The path the microorganism leaves the reservoir

Dental Portal of Exit Example

Saliva splatter, blood

Mode of Transmission

How pathogens spread from one host to another

Dental Transmission Example

Aerosols, contaminated instruments, needles

Portal of Entry

How microorganisms enter a new host

Dental Portal of Entry Example

Broken skin, eyes, mouth, needlestick injury

Susceptible Host

A person who can become infected

Dental Susceptible Host

Patients or dental workers without immunity

Regulated Waste

Regulated waste refers to materials posing health/environmental risks, classified by government bodies like EPA and OSHA (EPA, OSHA) for strict handling, treatment, and disposal to prevent contamination

Regulated Dental Waste Example

amalgalm

Non Regulated Waste

headrest cover

Sharps Container

Approved container for needles and sharp objects

Bloodborne Pathogens

Microorganisms present in blood that cause disease

Common Dental Blood born pathogens

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV

Blood born pathogens Transmission

Contact with infected blood via cuts or mucous membranes

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Federal regulation to protect workers from Blood Born Pathogens

Who OSHA BBP Standard Protects

Employees with occupational exposure

Exposure Control Plan

Written plan to eliminate or minimize exposure

OSHA Required PPE

Gloves, masks, eyewear, gowns

Required Vaccination

Hepatitis B vaccine

Engineering Controls

Devices that reduce exposure at the source

Rubber Dam Purpose

Reduce saliva and aerosol contamination

Instrument Cassettes Purpose

Reduce handling of contaminated instruments

Work Practice Controls

Methods of performing tasks safely

Improper Needle Recapping

Using two hands

Proper Needle Recapping

One hand

Eating in Clinical Areas

Not allowed

Proper Handwashing Time

At least 20 seconds

Engineering and Work Practice Overlap

Both reduce exposure risk

Personal Protective Equipment

Barriers worn to protect against infection

PPE Donning Order

Gown, mask, eyewear, gloves

PPE Removal Order

Gloves, eyewear, mask, gown

Glove Change Requirement

Between patients or if torn or soiled

Mask Change Requirement

Between patients or when wet or soiled

Gown Change Requirement

Daily or if visibly soiled

Direct Contact Transmission

Infection spread through direct physical contact

Direct Dental Example

Touching blood without gloves

Indirect Contact Transmission

Infection spread through contaminated objects

Indirect Dental Example

Touching contaminated instruments

Droplet Transmission

Spread through large respiratory droplets

Droplet Dental Example

Patient coughing during treatment

Airborne Transmission

Spread through suspended particles in air

Airborne Dental Example

Aerosols from ultrasonic scaler

Hand Hygiene

Cleaning hands to prevent infection spread

When to Wash Hands

Before and after each patient

Bar Soap Use

Not allowed in dental settings

Chairside Handling

Safe handling of used instruments

Sterilization

Destruction of all microorganisms

Instrument Storage

Clean, dry, closed cabinets

Disinfection

Kills many microorganisms but not spores

Sterilization

Kills all microorganisms including spores

Clinical Contact Surfaces

Surfaces touched during patient care

Clinical Contact Surface Example

Light handles, chair controls

Housekeeping Surfaces

Surfaces not touched during treatment

Housekeeping Surface Example

Floors, walls, sinks

Occupational Exposure

any exposure in the workplace

First Step After Exposure

Wash area exposed immediately

Incident Report

Required documentation after exposure