Elsevier

Dental Abstracts

Volume 60, Issue 2, March–April 2015, Pages 107-109
Dental Abstracts

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Keeping safe from infection

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Background

One of the dangers associated with being in a hospital is the risk of contracting healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). The most common of these infectious involve the respiratory system, urinary tract, or a surgical site. Acquired dental disorders include infections with blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV and respiratory pathogens. Prions may also be transmitted but the risk is considerably lower. The measures required to control

Controlling Cross Infection

Cross-infection control involves taking standard precautions to minimize the risk of transmitting any disease regardless of the patient’s or healthcare worker’s health status. The precautions recommended (Table 1) are based on a culture of safety in the dental office. All of the staff members are included. Systems are put in place that ensure the proper assessment and minimization of the risk of cross contamination as well as a detailed protocol for reporting incidents and potential exposure to

Personal Protection

All dental practices should establish a hand hygiene policy. Sinks should be readily accessed and clean, and hands are cleansed using a thorough procedure such as the Ayliffe technique. For a general wash, the hands are scrubbed for 20 to 30 seconds, whereas for a surgical scrub, the process lasts 2 to 3 minutes. Clean disposable paper towels are used to dry the hands. An emollient hand cream is applied to avoid dry skin problems from frequent hand washing. The five moments for hand hygiene are

Office Precautions

Sharps injuries are common in a dental office but about half can be prevented. Many occur outside the mouth during re-sheathing, dismantling, or disposing of needles or while sharp instruments are being cleaned. Risk in intraoral sites is reduced by using a mirror or other device rather than the fingers. Sharp-safe needle designs that do not require re-sheathing may be used. Instruments passed from one practitioner to another should be transferred in a receiver. Sharps are disposed of in

Infectious Agents Encountered in Dentistry

The major infectious agents that dental practices must deal with are BBVs, respiratory viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, MRSA, pseudomonads, Legionella, and prions (Table 4).

Discussion

Maintaining effective cross-infection control in a dental practice requires that careful, well-considered systems be in place. Staff members should be assigned specific duties related to cleaning, sterilizing, and maintaining equipment. Working together can ensure a safe working environment is created and maintained.

Clinical Significance

It’s important to regularly review the procedures needed to ensure that all your infection control efforts are in place and functioning properly. Everyone

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Jakubovics N, Greenwood M, Meechan JG: General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners: Part 4. Infections and infection control. Br Dent J 217:73-77, 2014

Reprints available from M Greenwood, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle Univ, Framlington Pl, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4BW; e-mail: [email protected]

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