Competency B Flashcards
Maintain Infection Control
What three things can be done to minimize spraying or splattering of oral fluids in the dental office?
Rubber dam, high volume evacuation, pre-procedure mouth rinse
What is the goal of infection control?
to eliminate or reduce the number of microorganisms that may be shared between individuals or between individuals and contaminated surfaces
What are the five pathways for cross-contamination?
patient to patient
Patient to dental team
dental team to patient
community to patient
dental team to community
Differentiate between direct contact and indirect contact in patient to dental team cross-contamination?
Direct contact is touching a patient’s saliva or blood leading to entrance of microorganisms through nonintact skin. indirect contact is transfer of microorganism from the patient’s mouth to an item or surface and later contact with the contaminated item or surface
what type of cross-contamination occurs when microorganisms enter into the dental office in the water that supplies the dental unit?
community to patient
How may patient to patient cross-contamination occur?
through improperly prepared instruments , hand pieces and attachments ,operatoty surfaces and hands
What does personal protective equitment (PPE) consist of?
Protective eyewear
protective clothing
gloves
barriers
masks
What potentially infectious materials require standard precautions in dentistry?
Blood
Any unidentifiable blody fluid
Any body fluid with visible blood
Saliva from dental procedures
When is protective clothing NOT to be worn?
Outside the office for any reason
In staff lounge area or when eating or consuming beverages
How often should protective clothing be changed?
At least daily and more often if visibly soiled
How often must masks be changed?
For every patient or more often, especially if heavy splatter is generated or if the mask becomes damp. For long procedures change masks about once an hour.
Can a face shield replace a mask?
No
What can employees who wear prescription glasses use for protective eyewear?
Their prescription glasses with protective sides and bottom shields added/ protective eyewear can be worn over prescription glasses
How often should gloves be changed?
About once an hour for long procedure
after a single use
What are overgloves?
Gloves worn over contaminated treatment gloves to prevent the contamination of clean objects handled during treatment
What can employees with latex allergies wear for gloves?
Vinyl, nitrile and other surgical gloves can be worn
When should sterile surgical gloves be worn?
For invasive procedures involving the cutting of bone or significant amounts of blood and saliva
When must utility gloves 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 disinfection
How should disposable contaminated sharps be handled?
Do not bend, recap, or removed contaminated needles and other sharps unless there is no alternative. Use a one-handed technique or a mechanical device for recapping
What activities are restricted in work areas?
Eating, Drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, handling contact lenses, storing food and drink in refrigerators or freezers or shelves, countertops, or in cabinets where blood or saliva is present
What may be done to minimize spatter?
Use rubber dam, high volume evacuation and pre-procedure mouth rinsing
List the steps in placing personal barriers
Protective clothing
protective eyewear
mask
wash hands
place gloves
List the steps in removing personal barriers
Gown
gloves
wash hands
eyeglasses
mask
wash hands
How are microbially soiled prostheses handled?
Disinfection by immersion
What disinfectants can be used for microbially soiled prostheses?
Glutaraldehyde, Iodophor, and Sodium hypochlorite
What is the preferred method of disinfecting impressions?
Immersion disinfection
What disinfectants can be used for spraying?
Iodophor
Sodium Hypochlorite
What is the treatment of choice for polyether impressions?
Disinfection by spraying
What protective barriers must be worn when grinding and polishing with the lathe?
Protective eyewear
proper ventilation
mask
Mark each statement below either (true) or (false)
a container holding contaminated laundry should be labeled with a biohazard label
True-
Mark each statement below either (true) or (false)
dental assistants can eat or drink in the sterilization area of the dental office only if there is no contaminated instruments on the counter
False
Mark each statement below either (true) or (false)
needles should be bent or broken before being discarded
False
Mark each statement below either (true) or (false)
overgloves are NOT acceptable alone as a gloves during patients treatment
True
Mark each statement below either (true) or (false)
a face shield is a good alternative to a face mask for aerosol producing procedures
False
Mark each statement below either (true) or (false)
protective eyewear should have protective side shields
True
Mark each statement below either (true) or (false)
if you wear contact lenses, you do not need additional eye protection
False
Write the correct word (s) in the blank space provided
The term meaning free form germs is ?
Asepsis
Write the correct word (s) in the blank space provided
The application of chemicals to reduce the number of pathogens is called?
Disinfection
