Download Few4y efewfwfny

Document related concepts

Hospital-acquired infection wikipedia , lookup

Transcript
Chapter 19
Disease Transmission and
Infection Control
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA).
All rights reserved. No part of this product may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including input into or storage in any
information system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
PowerPoint® presentation slides may be displayed and may be reproduced in print
form for instructional purposes only, provided a proper copyright notice appears on
the last page of each print-out.
Produced in the United States of America
ISBN 0-7216-9770-4
Introduction
As a member of the dental health care team, the
dental assistant is at risk of exposure to disease
agents through contact with blood or other
potentially infectious materials.
By carefully following infection control and safety
guidelines, you can minimize your risk of disease
transmission in the dental office.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
The Chain of Infection

The chain of infection consists of four parts:
• Virulence
• Numbers
• Susceptible host
• Portal of entry
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-1 To break the chain of infection, at least one part must be removed.
Fig. 19-1
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Virulence



The virulence of an organism refers to the degree
of pathogenicity or strength of that organism in its
ability to produce disease.
Because we cannot change the virulence of
microorganisms, we must rely on our body
defenses and specific immunizations.
Avoid coming in contact with microorganisms by
always following the infection control techniques.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Numbers



In addition to being virulent, pathogenic
microorganisms must be present in large enough
numbers to overwhelm the body’s defenses.
The number of pathogens may directly be related
to the amount of bioburden that is present.
(Bioburden refers to organic materials such as
blood and/or saliva.)
The use of the dental dam and high volume
evacuation help minimize bioburden on surfaces
and reduces the number of microorganisms in the
aerosol.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Susceptible Host



A susceptible host is a person who is unable to
resist infection by the pathogen.
An individual who is in poor health, is chronically
fatigued and under extreme stress, or has a
weakened immune system is more likely to become
infected.
Therefore staying healthy, washing hands
frequently, and keeping immunizations up-to-date
will help members of the dental team resist
infection and stay healthy.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Portal of Entry



To cause infection, the pathogens must have a
portal of entry (or means of getting into the body).
The portals of entry for airborne pathogens are
through the mouth and nose.
Bloodborne pathogens must have access to the
blood supply as a means of entry into the body.
This can occur through a break in the skin caused
by a needle stick, a cut, or even a human bite.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Types of Infections




Acute infection: Symptoms are often quite severe
and usually appear soon after the initial infection
occurs.
Chronic infections: Those in which the
microorganism is present for a long period; some may
persist for life.
Latent infection: A persistent infection in which the
symptoms come and go. Cold sores (oral herpes
simplex) and genital herpes are latent viral infections.
Opportunistic infections: Caused by normally
nonpathogenic organisms and occur in individuals
whose resistance is decreased or compromised.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Methods of Disease Transmission



Direct transmission: By coming into direct contact
with the infectious lesion or infected body fluids (e.g.,
blood, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions).
Indirect: Transfer of organisms to a susceptible
person can occur by, for example, handling
contaminated instruments or touching contaminated
surfaces and then touching the face, eyes, or mouth.
Splash or spatter: Diseases can be transmitted
during a dental procedure by splashing the mucosa
(mouth or eyes) or nonintact skin with blood or bloodcontaminated saliva.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Methods of Disease Transmission- cont’d


Airborne transmission, also known as droplet
infection: Spread of disease through droplets of
moisture containing bacteria or viruses.
Aerosols: Containing saliva, blood, and
microorganisms are created by the use of the highspeed handpiece, air-water syringe, and ultrasonic
scaler during dental procedures.

Mists: Droplet particles larger than those
generated by the aerosol spray.

Spatter: Large droplet particles contaminated with
blood, saliva, and other debris.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Methods of Disease Transmission- cont’d




Parenteral transmission can occur through needlestick
injuries, human bites, cuts, abrasions, or any break in the
skin.
Bloodborne transmission occurs through direct or
indirect contact with blood and other body fluids.
Food and water transmission occurs by contaminated
food that has not been cooked or refrigerated properly or
water that has been contaminated with human or animal
fecal material.
Fecal/oral transmission: Many pathogens are present in
fecal matter. If proper sanitation procedures, such as
handwashing after use of the toilet, are not followed, these
pathogens may be transmitted by touching another person
or by contact with surfaces or food.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-2 Pathogens can be transferred from staff to patient, patient to staff,
and patient to patient from contaminated equipment.
Fig. 19-2
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Disease Transmission in the Dental Office

Every dental office should have an infection control
program designed to prevent the transmission of
disease from:
• Patient to dental team
• Dental team to patient
• Patient to patient
• Dental office to community (includes dental
team’s family)
• Community to patient
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
The Immune System


The human body receives resistance to
communicable diseases from the immune system.
A communicable disease is one that can be transmitted
from one person to another or by contact with the
body fluids from another person.

When immunity is present at birth, it is called inherited
immunity.

Immunity that is developed during a person’s lifetime is
called acquired immunity.
• Acquired immunity can occur either naturally or
artificially.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Acquired Immunity

Acquired immunity can occur either naturally or
artificially:
• Natural acquired immunity: Occurs when a
person has contracted and is recovering from a
disease.
•
Active immunity
•
Passive immunity
• Artificially acquired immunity: Antibodies
can be introduced into the body artificially by
immunization or vaccination.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard



The bloodborne pathogen standard (BBP) is the
most important infection control law in dentistry.
It is designed to protect employees against
occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such
as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Employers are required to protect their employees from
exposure to blood and other potentially infectious
materials (OPIM) in the workplace and to provide
proper care to the employee if an exposure should
occur.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standardcont’d


The BBP applies to any type of facility in which
employees might be exposed to blood and/or
other body fluids, including dental and medical
offices, hospitals, funeral homes, emergency
medical services, nursing homes, and the like.
OSHA requires that a copy of the BBP be present
in every dental office and clinic.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Requirements of the Standard



Exposure control plan clearly describes how
that office complies with the standard.
Universal precautions means that the same
infection control procedures for any given dental
procedure must be used for all patients receiving
that same dental procedure; universal precautions
are procedure specific, not patient specific.
It is not possible to identify those individuals who
are infectious, so infection precautions are used
for all health care personnel and their patients.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Table 19-1 Occupational Exposure Determination.
Table 19-1
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Postexposure Incidents


Before an accident occurs, the BBP requires the
employer to have a plan in writing that explains
exactly what steps the employee must follow after
the exposure incident and the type of medical
follow-up that will be provided to the employee at
no charge.
In addition, the employer must provide training to
the employee regarding what to do if an exposure
incident should occur.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Postexposure Follow-up for an Exposed Worker.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Hepatitis B Immunization

OSHA requires the dentist to offer the hepatitis B virus
(HBV) vaccination series to all employees whose jobs
include category I and II tasks.

Vaccine must be offered within 10 days of employment.

The dentist/employer must obtain proof from the physician
who administered the vaccination.


The employee has the right to refuse the HBV vaccine;
however, the employee must sign an informed refusal
form that is kept on file in the dental office.
The employee always has the right to change his or her
mind and receive the vaccine at a later date at no charge.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Hepatitis B Vaccine



The vaccine is administered in a series of three
injections. The most common vaccination schedule
is 0, 1, and 6 months.
The preferred injection site is in the deltoid muscle
(on the arm) because the seroconversion rate
(development of immunity) is higher than when
the vaccine is administered in the buttocks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) state that pregnancy should not be
considered a contraindication to the HBV vaccine;
however, the woman’s obstetrician should be
consulted.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Postvaccine Testing



Between 6 weeks and 6 months after the final
vaccination of the series has been completed, it is
recommended that a blood test be performed to
ensure that the individual has developed immunity.
This testing is not required by current OSHA
regulations.
Individuals who have not developed immunity
should be evaluated by their physician to
determine the need for a additional dose of the
HBV vaccine.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Need for a Booster



Routine booster doses of the HBV vaccine are not
recommended by the CDC.
The CDC does not recommend routine blood
testing (after the initial testing to determine initial
immunity) to monitor the HBV antibody level in
individuals who have already had the vaccine.
The exception to this recommendation is if an
immunized individual had a documented exposure
incident and the attending physician orders the
administration of a booster dose.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Employee Medical Records



The dentist/employer must keep a confidential
medical record for each employee.
These records are confidential and must be stored
in a locked file.
The employer must keep these records for 30
years.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Managing Contaminated Sharps


Contaminated needles and other disposable sharps,
such as scalpel blades, orthodontic wires, and broken
glass, must be placed into a sharps container.
The sharps container must be puncture-resistant,
closable, leakproof, and color-coded or labeled with the
biohazard symbol.

Sharps containers must be located as close as possible
to the place of immediate disposal.

Do not cut, bend, or break the needles before disposal.

Never attempt to remove a needle from a disposable
syringe.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-5 A puncture-resistant sharps disposal container should be located as
close as possible to the area where the disposal of sharps takes place.
Fig. 19.5
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Handwashing

Wash your hands each time before you put on gloves and
immediately after you remove gloves.

Wash your hands when you inadvertently touch
contaminated objects or surfaces while barehanded.



Always use liquid soap during handwashing. Bar soap
should never be used because it may transmit
contamination.
For most routine dental procedures, such as examinations
and nonsurgical procedures, an antimicrobial soap can be
used.
For surgical procedures, you should use a germicidal
surgical scrub product.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Hand Care




Dry hands well before donning gloves.
Keep nails short and well manicured, and rings, except for
wedding rings, fingernail polish, and artificial nails are not
to be worn at work.
Microorganisms thrive around rough cuticles and can enter
the body through any break in the skin.
Dental personnel with open sores or weeping dermatitis
must avoid activities involving direct patient contact and
handling contaminated instruments or equipment until the
condition on the hands is healed.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


OSHA requires the employer to provide employees
with appropriate personal protective equipment
(PPE) without charge to the employee.
Examples of PPE include:
• Protective clothing
• Surgical masks
• Face shields
• Protective eyewear
• Disposable patient treatment gloves
• Heavy-duty utility gloves
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Protective Clothing


Types of protective clothing can include smocks,
slacks, skirts, laboratory coats, surgical scrubs
(hospital operating room clothing), scrub (surgical)
hats, pants, and shoe covers.
The type of protective clothing you should wear is
based on the degree of anticipated exposure to
infectious materials.

The BBP prohibits the employee from taking
protective clothing home to be laundered.

Laundering contaminated protective clothing is the
responsibility of the employer.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Protective Clothing Requirements




Protective clothing should be made of fluid-resistant
material.
To minimize the amount of uncovered skin, clothing
should have long sleeves and a high neckline. Note:
The type and characteristics of protective clothing
depend on the degree of exposure anticipated.
The design of the sleeve should allow the cuff to be
tucked inside the band of the glove.
During high-risk procedures, protective clothing must
cover dental personnel at least to the knees when
seated.
• Buttons, trim, zippers, and other ornamentation
should be kept to a minimum.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-14 Appropriate clinical attire consists of long-sleeved gowns, gloves,
and eyewear.
Fig. 19-14
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Protective Masks



A mask is worn over the nose and mouth to
protect you from inhaling possible infectious
organisms spread by the aerosol spray of the
handpiece or air-water syringe and accidental
splashes.
A mask with at least 95% filtration efficiency for
particles 3 to 5 mm in diameter should be worn
whenever splash or spatter is likely.
The two most commonly used types of masks are
the dome-shaped and flat types.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Guidelines for the Use of Masks





Masks should be changed for every patient or more
often.
Masks should be handled by touching the side edges
only to avoid contact with the more heavily
contaminated body of the mask.
The mask should conform well to the shape of the
face.
Masks should not contact the mouth when being
worn because the moisture generated will decrease
the mask filtration efficiency.
A damp or wet mask is not an effective mask.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Protective Eyewear





Protective eyewear is worn to protect eyes against the
danger of eye damage resulting from aerosolized
pathogens.
Protective eyewear also prevents splattered solutions or
caustic chemicals from injuring the eyes.
OSHA requires the use of eyewear with both front and side
protection (solid side shields) for use during exposureprone procedures.
If you wear contact lens, you must wear protective
eyewear with side shields or a face shield.
After each treatment or patient visit, clean and
decontaminate your protective eyewear according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Face Shields



A chin-length plastic face shield may be worn as an
alternative to protective eyewear.
A shield does not substitute for the use of a face
mask because it does not protect against inhaling
contaminated aerosols.
When splashing or spattering of blood or other
body fluids is likely during a procedure (such as
surgery), a face shield is often worn in addition to
a protective mask.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-16 Face shields provides adequate eye protection, but a face mask is
still required when assisting with aerosol-generating procedures.
Fig. 19-16
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Protective Eyewear for Patients


Patients should be provided with protective eyewear
because they also may be subject to eye damage during
the procedure.
This may result from:
• Handpiece spatter
• Spilled or splashed dental materials, including caustic
chemical agents
• Airborne bits of acrylic or tooth fragments
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-17 Patients should be provided with protective eyewear.
Fig. 19-17
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Gloves


Gloves must be worn by the dentist, dental
assistant, and dental hygienist during all patient
treatment in which there is the possibility of
contact with the patient's blood, saliva, or mucous
membranes or with contaminated items or
surfaces.
The types of gloves used in a dental practice
should be determined by the various procedures
performed in the practice.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Guidelines for the Use of Gloves




All gloves used in patient care must be discarded
after a single use.
These gloves may not be washed, disinfected, or
sterilized; however, they may be rinsed with water
to remove excess powder.
Latex, vinyl, or other disposable medical-quality
gloves may be used for patient examinations and
dental procedures.
Torn or damaged gloves must be replaced
immediately.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Guidelines for the Use of Gloves- cont’d

Do not wear jewelry under gloves. (Rings harbor
pathogens and may tear the glove.)

Change gloves frequently. (If the procedure is long,
change gloves about once each hour.)


Contaminated gloves should be removed before
leaving the chairside during patient care and
replaced with new gloves before returning to
patient care.
Hands must be washed after glove removal and
before regloving.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Gloves Damaged During Treatment


Gloves are effective only when they are intact
(not damaged, torn, ripped, or punctured).
If gloves are damaged during treatment, they must
be changed immediately. The procedure for
regloving is:
• Excuse yourself and leave the chairside.
• Remove and discard the damaged gloves.
• Wash hands thoroughly.
• Reglove before returning to the dental
procedure.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Overgloves


Overgloves, which also are known as "food
handler" gloves, are made of lightweight,
inexpensive, clear plastic.
These may be worn over contaminated treatment
gloves (overgloving) to prevent the contamination
of clean objects handled during treatment.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-18 To prevent contamination, an overglove is worn while a chart
entry is made.
Fig. 19-18
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Guidelines for the Use of Overgloves




Overgloves are not acceptable alone as a hand
barrier or for intraoral procedures.
Overgloves must be worn carefully to avoid
contamination during handling with contaminated
procedure gloves.
Overgloves are placed before the secondary
procedure is performed and are removed before
the patient treatment that was in progress is
resumed.
Overgloves are discarded after a single use.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Sterile Surgical Gloves



Sterile gloves should be worn for invasive
procedures involving the cutting of bone or
significant amounts of blood or saliva, such as oral
surgery or periodontal treatment.
Sterile gloves are supplied in prepackaged units to
maintain sterility before use.
They are provided in specific sizes and are fitted to
the left or right hand.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Utility Gloves




Utility gloves are not used for direct patient care.
Utility gloves must be worn when the treatment room is
cleaned and disinfected between patients, while
contaminated instruments are being cleaned or handled,
and for surface cleaning and disinfecting.
Utility gloves may be washed, disinfected, or sterilized and
reused; however, they must be discarded when they
become worn and no longer have the ability to provide
barrier protection.
Used utility gloves must be considered contaminated and
handled appropriately until they have been properly
disinfected or sterilized.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-19 Utility gloves are used when preparing contaminated instruments
for sterilization.
Fig. 19-19
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Nonlatex-Containing Gloves


Health care providers or patients may experience
serious allergic reactions to latex.
For the person who is sensitive to latex, there are
gloves made from vinyl, nitrile, and other nonlatexcontaining materials.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Maintaining Infection Control While Gloved



During a dental procedure, it may be necessary to
touch surfaces or objects such as drawer handles
or materials containers.
If you touch these with a gloved hand, both the
surface and glove become contaminated.
To minimize the possibility of cross-contamination,
you can use an overglove when it is necessary to
touch a surface.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Glove Caution


Chemicals such as glutaraldehyde and acrylates
readily permeate (pass through) latex gloves and
can irritate the skin, and that irritation is mistaken
for an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the latex
glove.
This is why latex gloves should never be worn
when handling chemicals.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Latex Allergies

There are three common types of latex allergic
reactions.

Two types involve an immune reaction, and one
type involves only surface irritation.
• Irritant dermatitis, a nonimmunologic
process, (does not involve the body's immune
system) is caused by contact with a substance
that produces a chemical irritation to the skin.
The skin becomes reddened, dry, irritated, and,
in severe cases, cracked. Irritant dermatitis can
be reversed by identifying and correcting the
cause of the problem.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Latex Allergies- cont’d

Type IV sensitivity
• The most common type of latex allergy, type IV
sensitivity, is a delayed contact reaction, and it
involves the immune system.
• It may take up to 48 or 72 hours for the red, itchy
rash to appear.
• The reactions are limited to the areas of contact
and do not involve the entire body.
• An immune response is produced by the chemicals
that are used to process the latex used in
manufacturing the gloves; it is not caused by the
proteins in the latex.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Latex Allergies- cont’d

Type I allergic reaction
• This is the most dangerous type of latex allergy,
and it can result in death.
• The reaction is in response to the latex protein in
the glove (in contrast to the reaction to chemical
additives in type IV).
• There is a severe immunologic (immune system)
response that usually occurs 2 to 3 minutes after
the latex allergens contact the skin or mucous
membranes.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Treatment of Latex Allergies




There is no specific cure for latex allergy.
The only options are prevention, avoidance of latexcontaining products, and treatment of the symptoms.
Anyone who suspects he or she may have an allergy to
latex should see a qualified health care provider to
have a test to confirm the allergy.
Once anyone is diagnosed as having a latex allergy, he
or she should practice latex avoidance in all aspects of
his or her personal and professional lives.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Remember…

When one employee in the dental office has been
diagnosed as having a latex allergy, all staff
members should use practices to minimize the use
of latex-containing products. These practices
include the wearing of powder-free gloves by all
dental staff members to minimize the risk of
airborne latex particles.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Latex-Sensitive Patients


In the health care setting, patients with latex
allergies should be treated using alternatives to
latex.
Vinyl gloves and a nonlatex rubber dam should be
available in all dental offices.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 19-21 Latex-free gloves.
Fig. 19-21
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Waste Management in the Dental Office



Dental practices are subject to a wide variety of
federal, state, and local regulations concerning waste
management issues.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
majority of state and local regulations do not
categorize saliva or saliva-soaked items as infectious
waste.
Conversely, because of the high probability that blood
may be carried in saliva during dental procedures, CDC
guidelines and OSHA regulations consider saliva in
dentistry to be a potentially infectious body fluid.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Classifications of Waste



General waste: All nonhazardous, nonregulated
waste should be discarded in covered containers.
Examples include disposable paper towels, paper
mixing pads, and empty food containers.
Contaminated waste is waste that has had contact
with blood or other body fluids. Examples include used
barriers and patient napkins.
Hazardous waste poses a risk to humans and the
environment. Toxic chemicals and materials are
hazardous waste. Examples include scrap amalgam,
spent fixer solution, and lead foil from x-ray film
packets.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Classifications of Waste- cont’d


Some items, such as extracted teeth with amalgam
restorations, may be both hazardous waste (because
of the amalgam) and infectious waste (because of
the blood).
Infectious or regulated waste (biohazard), is
contaminated waste that is capable of transmitting an
infectious disease.
• Blood and blood-soaked materials
• Pathological waste
• Sharps
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Handling Dental Office Waste


Contaminated waste: Items that may contain the
body fluids of patients, such as gloves and patient
napkins, should be placed in a lined trash receptacle.
Medical waste is any solid waste that is generated in
the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human
beings or animals in research.
• Infectious waste is a subset of medical waste.
Only a small percentage of medical waste is
infectious and needs to be regulated.
• Must be labeled with the universal biohazard
symbol.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Other Infection Control Considerations



Never eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or lip balm,
or handle contact lenses in any area of the dental
office where there is possible contamination, such as
the dental treatment rooms, dental laboratory,
sterilization area, or the x-ray processing area.
Never store food or drink in refrigerators that contain
any potentially contaminated items.
You can minimize the amount of splash and spatter
contamination produced during dental procedures with
the skillful use of a dental dam and high-volume
evacuation.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.