Infection Control and Dental Care

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Infection Control and Dental Care

• Brenda Leggett

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The Infectious Process

• There are three essential Components
• A susceptible HOST
• A causative AGENT
• A portal of ENTRY

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Chain of Asepsis

• Therefore by eliminating any ONE of the three
  components
• An infection cannot occur

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Significant Concepts

• Universal Precautions
• Risk assessment

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Universal Precautions

• Are a set of RISK Reduction measures
• Based on the principle that health histories and
  examinations may NOT reliably identify disease
  carriers
• Must be used when exposed to blood contaminated
  saliva as well as blood

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Universal Precautions

• Health care workers should use when encountering
  blood or other body fluids Supporting information
  and examples
• Relates to
• the proper handling of sharps
• The use of barriers as personal protection

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RISK ASSESSMENT

• Health care workers should evaluate the risk of
  infection for each care situation
• Blood is the most important transmitter of
  disease, so procedures involving contact with
  blood need MAXIMUM protection

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Categories of Risk
Task level Exposure Type Barrier precautions
Surgery, periodontal Care Exposure to blood, or blood contaminated saliva( may involve aerosols) Maximum protection
Examinations, radiographs Involves intact mucosal contact with no anticipated splatter Moderate protection gloves recommended- masks, eyewear optional
Consultations, etc. No exposure to blood or body fluids None required
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Levels of Disinfection

• High level
• Some, but not all bacterial spores are killed
• Intermediate level
• Kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Low level
• Kills most bacteria, some fungi, and some viruses
• NOT SUITABLE for dental instruments or surfaces

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Recommended decontamination
Categort of object Definition Type of decontamination
Critical Instruments that penetrate oral tissues e.g scalers Sterilization is required due to exposure to blood
Semi-critical Instruments that contact intact mucous membranes e.g. air/water tips Sterilization if possible. If susceptible to heat damage use high level disinfection
Non-critical Equipment with no exposure to blood e.g. mixing slabs Intermediate level disinfection
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Use of Barriers

• As an alternative to INTERMEDIATE level
  disinfection, barrier surfaces such as
• Light handles
• X-ray units
• Chair buttons
• Saves time, protects against damage from
  disinfectants

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Reducing Contamination

• Remove unecessary items from counter tops
• Use overgloves when maintaining clinical records
• Use transfer forceps to access additional
  supplies or instruments

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Reducing Contamination

• Use disposable items
• Minimize aerosols by
• Use of rubber dam
• Have client use pre-op rinse
• Use high volume suction
• Proper handling of sharps and contaminated waste

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The End