Infection control

Infection Control

• is the collection of evidence-based policies, procedures, and practices designed to prevent or reduce the transmission of infectious microorganisms among patients, healthcare workers, and the clinical environment.

• Its primary purpose is to interrupt the spread of disease and ensure a safe environment for both patients and healthcare providers.

DENTISTS ARE EXPOSED DAILY TO:

● Blood ● Saliva ● Gingival crevicular fluid ● Aerosols ● Sharp instruments ● Contaminated surface

WITHOUT PROPER INFECTION CONTROL, MICROORGANISMS CAN SPREAD BETWEEN:

● Patient to dentist ● Dentist to patient ● Patient to patient ● Dental staff to patients ● Contaminated instruments to anyone who handles them

HEPATITIS

Inflammation of the liver commonly caused by viral infections, heavy alcohol use, toxins, or immune system disorder.

Hepatitis B

● Genome DNA ● Blood borne virus and bodily fluids during sex

Signs and Symptoms of ChronisHepatitis

● Flu like symptoms ● Nausea and vomiting ● Arthritis ● Rash

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis

● Fever ● Malaise ● Jaundice

Hepatitis C

● Genome RNA ● Blood borne virus and parenteral via unclean needles

Herpes Simplex Virus

- A common, lifelong viral infection split into two main types—HSV-1 and HSV-2—that cause painful fluid-filled blisters or ulcers through skin-to-skin contact

HSV - 1

● Oral to oral transmission ● Cold sore

HSV - 2

● Sexual transmission ● Genital herpes ● Cold sore ● Increased risk on HIV patients

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

A virus that attacks the immune system, specifically CD4 cells, spreading through specific body fluids and potentially leading to AIDS if left untreated

Kaposi’s Sarcoma

● A type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels.

Signs & Symptoms of Kaposi’s Sarcoma

● Flat or raised spots that look like bruises or pimples on the face, legs, or mouth ● Swelling in the legs or lymph nodes ● Trouble breathing or coughing up blood if it affects the lungs ● Belly pain or blood in the stool if it affects the gut ● Loose teeth if the growth affects the jaw bone

Lichen Planus

● A non-contagious, immune-mediated inflammatory condition that causes itchy, flat-topped, purple or reddish bumps on the skin and lacy white patches in the mouth.

Cold Sore

Small, painful, fluid-filled blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Symptoms & Stages of Cold Sore

● Tingling: Itchy or burning feeling on the skin before the blister appears.

● Blistering: Small, painful fluid-filled bumps form and eventually burst open.

● Crusting: The open sore oozes and scabs over before completely healing

Covid 19

An infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

ageusia

Loss of taste

Standard Precautions

-are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, regardless of their confirmed or suspected infection status

-Introduced in 1996

Universal Precautions

were introduced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1985 during the HIV epidemic. Assumed that all blood and certain body fluids were potentially infectious

-Introduced in 1985

Infection Control Education

● is the planned process of teaching healthcare workers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

● Its purpose is to ensure that all members of the healthcare team can perform their duties safely while protecting patients, coworkers, and themselves.

Staff Orientation

is the initial training provided to newly hired healthcare workers before they begin patient care. It introduces them to the institution's infection control policies, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

are written instructions that describe the correct method for performing specific tasks consistently and safely

Competency Assessment

evaluates whether a healthcare worker has the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to perform assigned tasks safely and effectively.

Infection Control Committee

is a multidisciplinary team responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating infection prevention programs within a healthcare facility.

Documentation and Record Keeping

Proper documentation is an essential part of infection control.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

is the continuous process of learning that enables healthcare professionals to maintain, improve, and expand their knowledge, skills, and professional competence throughout their careers

Occupational hazards

are workplace conditions or exposures that may cause injury, illness, or long-term health problems among healthcare workers.

Routes of Occupational Exposure: Percutaneous Exposure

● Needle-stick injuries

● Cuts from scalpels

● Injuries from burs and orthodontic wires

Routes of Occupational Exposure: Mucosal Exposure

● Splash to the eyes

● Splash to the nose

● Splash to the mouth

Routes of Occupational Exposure: Non-Intact Skin Exposure

● Cuts

● Abrasions

● Dermatitis

Routes of Occupational Exposure: Inhalation

● Aerosols

● Airborne microorganisms

Health Surveillance

is the ongoing monitoring of healthcare workers to detect occupational diseases early.

Occupational Exposure

is contact with blood, saliva, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials that occurs while performing professional duties.

Post-Exposure Evaluation

After reporting, the exposed healthcare worker should undergo medical evaluation.

Safety Culture

is an environment where everyone is committed to preventing injuries, infections, and workplace accidents through shared responsibility and continuous improvement.

Safety-Engineered Devices

are instruments designed to reduce the risk of accidental injuries, particularly needle-stick injuries.

Emergency Preparedness in the Dental Clinic

Dental clinics should be prepared to respond to emergencies involving:

○ Medical emergencies

○ Fire ○ Power outages

○ Chemical spills

○ Natural disasters

○ Infectious disease outbreaks

Every clinic should have a written emergency response plan.

Immunization

● The process by which a person becomes protected against an infectious disease through vaccination or the transfer of protective antibodies.

● It is considered one of the greatest achievements in public health because it has significantly reduced illness, disability, and death from many infectious diseases.

Vaccine

is a biological preparation that stimulates the body's immune system to recognize and fight specific infectious agents without causing the disease itself.

ACTIVE IMMUNITY

Occurs when the body's immune system produces its own antibodies after:

○ Vaccination

○ Natural infection

Characteristics: ✔ Long-lasting protection ✔ Development of immune memory

PASSIVE IMMUNITY

Occurs when antibodies are transferred from another source. Examples:

○ Maternal antibodies (placenta or breast milk)

○ Immunoglobulin injections (e.g., HBIG) Characteristics:

✔ Immediate protection

✔ Temporary protection

Live Attenuated Vaccines

○ Contain weakened microorganisms capable of producing an immune response without causing disease in healthy individuals.

Inactivated Vaccines

Contain microorganisms that have been killed and cannot replicate.

Toxoid Vaccines

○ Protect against bacterial toxins.

Subunit/Recombinant Vaccines

○ Contain only specific components of microorganisms.

mRNA Vaccines

○ Contain messenger RNA that instructs cells to produce a harmless protein, triggering an immune response.

contraindication

is a condition in which a vaccine should not be administered because the risk of harm outweighs the benefit.

precaution

is a condition that may require delaying vaccination or carefully evaluating the risks and benefits before administering the vaccine