DH100: Chapter 4: Infection Control: Transmissible Disease

Question 1

protect patients, dental personnel, and others who may become exposed to infectious agents in the environment of the office or the clinic.

Answer 1

objective of infection control in the dental office

Question 2

• integrate and expand the elements of universal precautions.
• represent a standard of care that protects DHCP and their patients from pathogens that can be spread by blood or any other body fluid, excretion, or secretion: blood, all body fluids, secretions, and excretions (except sweat), regardless whether they contain blood, non-intact skin, mucous membrane.

Answer 2

standard precautions

Question 3

spread of microorganisms from one source to another; person to person, or person to an inanimate object and to another person.

Answer 3

cross-contamination

Question 4

6 essentials links required for spread of an infectious agent:

Answer 4

1. infectious agent
2. reservoir
3. port of exit
4. mode of transmission
5. port of entry
6. susceptible host

Question 5

the invading organism (bacterium, virus, fungus, rickettsia, protozoa) has its own specific reaction in an infected host.

Answer 5

infectious agent

Question 6

where the invading organisms live and multiply. The infectious agent has its own essential environment, which may be inanimate matter, an insect, or human cells or blood. Ex: soil is the reservoir for tetanus, and humans are reservoirs fro herpetic infections.

Answer 6

reservoir

Question 7

or mode of escape. Organisms exit through various body systems, such as the respiratory tract, or through skin lesions. Escape from the blood stream may be through skin abrasions, hypodermic needles, or dental instruments.

Answer 7

port of exit

Question 8

which may be direct, person to person, or indirect by way of an intermediate vehicle, such as contaminated hands or a hypodermic needle. Transmissions by a droplet maybe direct from the respiratory tract of one person to the oral cavity of the receiving host. Droplets may also be passed indirectly to hands or inanimate objects to be transferred indirectly to the susceptible hosts.

Answer 8

mode of transmission

Question 9

or mode of entry of the infectious agent into the new host. Maybe similar to modes of escape, such as the respiratory tract, mucous membrane, or a break in the skin.

Answer 9

port of entry

Question 10

does not have immunity to the invading infectious agent.

Answer 10

susceptible host

Question 11

2 Airborne Infection

Answer 11

1. dust-borne organism

2. aerosol production

Question 12

clostridium tetani (tetanus Bacillus)- an enteric bacteria are among the organisms that may travel in the dust brought in from outside and that moves in and about dental treatment areas.
-surface disinfection of all equipment contacted during an appointment contributes to control of dust-borne pathogens.

Answer 12

dust-borne organism

Question 13

are biologic contaminants that occur in solid or liquid form, are invisible, and may remain suspended in air for long periods.

Answer 13

aerosols

Question 14

sometimes called droplet nuclei that are 5 U or smaller may be breathed deep into the lungs.

Answer 14

aerosols particles

Question 15

heavier, larger particles may remain airborne a relatively short time because of size and weight, then drop or spatter on objects, people, and the floor.
-may be visible, particularly after it has landed on sink, hair, clothing, or environmental surfaces where gross contamination can result.

Answer 15

spatter

Question 16

origin of aerosol:

Answer 16

produced during all intramural procedures, including examination and treatment.

Question 17

Contents of Aerosols:

Answer 17

1. microorganisms
2. particles from cavity preparation
3. ultrasonic scaling

Question 18

concentration of erosols:

Answer 18

bacteria-laden aerosols and spatter are in greater concentration close to the site of instrumentation; the quantity decreases with distance.
-aerosols travel with air currents and may move from room to room.