Week 6( chapter 16-infcetion prevention and the dental radiographer)

What is the primary purpose of infection prevention in dentistry?

To prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

Name three possible routes of disease transmission in a dental setting.

Patient to dental professional, Dental professional to patient, Patient to patient.

What are the three conditions necessary for disease transmission to occur?

A susceptible host, a pathogen with sufficient infectivity and numbers,and a portal through which the pathogen may enter the host.

What is a pathogen?

A microorganism capable of causing disease.

What are some examples of pathogens that dental professionals may encounter?

Cold and flu virus, coronavirus, HBV, herpes simplex virus, HIV, mycobacterium tuberculosis.

What is the definition of antiseptic?

A substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria.

What does disinfection refer to?

The act of disinfecting, which involves using a chemical or physical procedure to inhibit or destroy pathogens.

What is asepsis?

The absence of pathogens or disease-causing microorganisms.

What is an exposure incident?

A specific incident that involves contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Define bloodborne pathogen.

Pathogens present in blood that cause diseases in humans.

What is infectious waste?

Waste that consists of blood, blood products, contaminated sharps, or other microbiologic products.

What does it mean to sterilize?

To use a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all pathogens, including highly resistant bacteria and mycotic spores.

What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Includes protective attire, gloves, masks, and eyewear to prevent exposure to infectious materials.

What is the significance of hand hygiene in infection prevention?

It applies to routine handwashing, antiseptic hand-wash, and antiseptic hand-rub techniques to reduce the risk of infection.

What should be done if gloves are torn, cut, or punctured?

They must be changed immediately.

When should masks be changed during dental procedures?

Masks should be changed if they become wet or moist.

What type of mask should be worn during aerosol-generating procedures?

An N95 mask.

What is the role of sterilization in dental health care settings?

To destroy all pathogens on instruments and surfaces.

What is the purpose of standard precautions?

To protect health care personnel and patients from pathogens.

What is occupational exposure?

Contact with blood or other infectious materials that involves the skin, eye, or mucous membranes.

What is parenteral exposure?

Exposure to blood or other infectious materials resulting from piercing or puncturing the skin barrier.

What must dental professionals with weeping lesions do?

They must refrain from all direct patient contact until the condition is resolved.

What are the three classifications of dental instruments based on their criticality?

Critical instruments, semi-critical instruments, and non-critical instruments.

What defines critical instruments in dental practice?

Instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone and must be sterilized after each use.

What defines semi-critical instruments in dental practice?

Instruments that contact but do not penetrate soft tissue or bone and must be sterilized after each use.

What defines non-critical instruments in dental practice?

Instruments that do not come in contact with mucous membranes and require intermediate-level or low-level disinfection.

What is the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in dental disinfection?

The EPA is responsible for the classifications of disinfectants used in dental settings.

What type of disinfectant is required for surfaces contaminated in a dental setting?

An intermediate-level disinfectant that is hospital-grade and tuberculocidal.

What must be done to all surfaces touched during dental treatment?

They must be thoroughly cleaned with a suitable chemical germicide.

What are the four stages of infection prevention in dental imaging?

Before exposure, during exposure, after exposure, and film processing.

What should be done with the treatment area before exposure?

All surfaces must be disinfected and covered with impervious disposable materials.

What is the proper preparation of supplies and equipment before a dental procedure?

Receptors must be disinfected, and plastic disposable barriers should be used for sensors and films.

What is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?

1. Gown, 2. Mask, 3. Eyewear, 4. Gloves.

What should be done with contaminated beam alignment devices after use?

They must be brought to the reprocessing area while wearing PPE and gloves.

What should be done immediately after exposure in dental radiography?

Remove and discard gloves, followed by hand hygiene.

What is the procedure for film transport after exposure?

Wipe the films with disinfectant while wearing gloves and place them into a second plastic cup without touching the outside.

What must be done with reusable PSP sensors after scanning?

They must be wrapped after scanning into the computer.

What should never be done with films without clean gloves?

Films should never be handled or wrapped without clean gloves.

What is the purpose of using plastic disposable sleeves for digital sensors?

To ensure they are disinfected between clients.

What must be done to the lead apron between clients?

It must be disinfected.

What should be done with miscellaneous objects before dental exposure?

Clients should remove any objects that may interfere with exposure.

What is the importance of hand hygiene in dental radiography?

To prevent cross-contamination and ensure safety for both the patient and the dental professional.

What is the significance of using a tray liner for X-ray supplies?

To maintain a clean working area and prevent contamination.

What should be done with contaminated items after a dental procedure?

They should be disposed of properly while wearing PPE and gloves.

What is the role of a plastic cup in film processing?

To transport and disinfect films without touching the outside of the cup.

What is the procedure for drying exposed receptors?

Dry each film with a tissue after exposure.

Infection prevention protocols are used in dentisty to ?

Minimize potential for disease transmission

Why are dental professionals considered to be at an increased risk for acquiring diseases?

Because they are frequently exposed to blood, saliva, and respiratory secretions

How do recommended infection prevention guidelines affect the dental practice?

They greatly reduce the transmission of infectious diseases

Which term describes a clinician's skin lesion that is actively secreting fluid or serum?

Weeping lesion

What is the correct sequence for putting on (donning) PPE before starting a radiographic procedure?

Gown → Mask → Eyewear → Gloves

Indirect contact transmission in dental radiography can occur through which of the following?

Touching a contaminated X-ray control panel

Disease transmission involves?

Pathogens

What is the definition of a 'pathogen' in the context of disease transmission?

A microorganism capable of causing disease

In a dental setting, where are pathogens most commonly found that could lead to exposure?

Oral or respiratory secretions

Which of the following is an example of 'Indirect Contact' transmission in a dental office?

Touching a contaminated dental instrument without proper gloves

In the context of infection prevention, what is a 'Portal of Entry'?

The path through which a pathogen enters the body, such as a cut in the skin

Disease transmission via 'Spatter or Aerosols' is a form of:

Direct contact with airborne contaminants

A dental professional accidentally gets a needle-stick injury while disposing of a syringe. This is an example of a(n):

Exposure incident

What is a key limitation of the 'Disinfect' procedure compared to sterilization?

It does not kill highly resistant bacteria and fungal spores

Which of the following would be categorized as 'Infectious Waste'?

Contaminated sharps and blood-soaked gauze

According to the concept of 'Standard Precautions,' how should dental professionals treat each patient?

Always treat every patient as if they are potentially infectious.

Which of the following is not typically considered part of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in dentistry?

Patient's lead apron

When should protective garments (clothing) be removed according to dental infection control guidelines?

Before leaving the dental office

Regarding glove use, which of the following statements is true?

Hand hygiene must be performed both before donning and after doffing gloves.

That's right!

When is it mandatory to switch from a standard surgical mask to an N95 respirator?

During aerosol-generating procedures

True or False: Masks should be changed if it becomes wet or moist

True

According to the WHO guidelines, what is the recommended duration for the entire handrub procedure?

20-30 seconds

When should you 'Wash Hands' with soap and water instead of using a 'Handrub'?

When hands are visibly soiled

What is the final step (Step 8) of the handrubbing process?

Once dry, your hands are safe.

How would we classify common radiography equipment?

1. XCP: __________

2. PID and tubehead: ________

3. Lead apron: _________

Semi, non-critical, non-critical

A surface has been visibly contaminated with blood. Which level of disinfectant should be used?

Intermediate-level disinfectant

Low-level disinfectants are primarily used for:

General housekeeping purposes

Which of the following describes the correct protocol for surfaces that will be touched during X-ray treatment?

They must be disinfected and then covered with impervious disposable materials.

Which specific part of the X-ray machine must be covered or disinfected?

PID and Exposure button

Where should X-ray supplies be placed during the preparation of the work area?

On a tray with a tray liner

How often should the lead apron be disinfected?

Between every client

Which of the following describes 'impervious' materials used in the preparation of the treatment area?

Materials that do not allow fluids to pass through

True or False: Countertops are the preferred location to place X-ray supplies during procedure preparation.

False

Which of the following describes the correct handling of Beam Alignment Devices (XCP)?

They should be kept in sterilized packages and opened only in front of the client.

What is the correct position for the client's head during the headrest adjustment?

The maxillary arch must be parallel with the floor.

According to the provided notes, which tasks should the radiographer perform with 'clean, bare hands'?

Adjusting the dental chair and headrest, and securing the lead apron.

What should a dental radiographer do immediately after a film has been exposed and removed from the client's mouth?

Dry the film with a tissue to remove saliva.

Once the exposed films are dried, where should they be collected?

In a designated plastic cup.

Why do we remove the lead apron with clean, bare hands?

Reduce risk of contamination

What should a radiographer do before removing and disposing of contaminated barriers and disposable items?

Ensure they are wearing proper PPE and gloves.

Which of the following is the correct order of actions regarding gloves and hand hygiene after clearing contaminated items?

Remove and discard gloves, then complete hand hygiene.

When performing surface disinfection of the dental unit after the procedure, the radiographer must:

Don new gloves and use an intermediate-level disinfectant.

Where should used beam alignment devices be taken after the patient is finished?

The reprocessing area

Avoid leaving an operatory contaminated even if there are plans to return later, why?

In case someone else goes to use the rad room

What is the correct protocol for transporting exposed films to the processing area?

Wipe films with disinfectant and place them from cup #1 into a clean cup #2 without touching the outside of cup #2.

When handling films during the transport process, the radiographer should:

Wear gloves throughout the wiping and transfer process.

What do we do with the used wrappers that cover the sensors?

Trash

What do we do with the sensors/plates after they have been scanned?

Wrap with fresh covers

What happens to the data on a PSP plate during the computer scanning process?

The scanning process clears the film so it can be reused for the next client.

Which of the following is a strict requirement when handling or wrapping scanned PSP plates?

The radiographer must use clean gloves.

What is the purpose of 'wrapping' the PSP plate after scanning?

To prepare it for the next use while maintaining a barrier against contamination.