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Question 1

surfaces are ____1_____, instruments are _____2______, people are _____3_______.

a. sanitized
b. washed
c. sterilized
d. cleaned
e. disinfected

Answer 1

1: e / 2: c / 3: a

Question 2

cross-contamination

Answer 2

the spreading of bacteria or other pathogens from one surface/organism to another

Question 3

infection control

Answer 3

practices and procedures that prevent the spread of infection

Question 4

give 3 examples of how a cda can prevent the spread of infection?

Answer 4

controlling personal illness, disinfection of OP/instruments, sanitizing oneself (hand-washing), wearing PPE/clinical attire, vaccination

Question 5

what is the relevance of infection control to healthcare professionals?

Answer 5

we are exposed more than the average population, so it is key that we know how to protect ourselves and our patients from disease, and prevent the cross-contamination of potentially harmful substances

Question 6

what are the 4 key components to PPE?

Answer 6

• clinical attire (scrubs, closed shoes, lab coat)
• safety glasses
• face mask
• examination gloves

Question 7

what are some of the body’s defences against infection?

Answer 7

• unbroken skin
• ciliary action (hairs in nose, ears etc.)
• gastric juices
• leukocytes (white blood cells which fight infection)
• immune system
• mucus membranes
• lymphatic system
• chemical defences

Question 8

what is the importance of dental dams in dentistry?

Answer 8

• create isolation (best visual for operator)

- prevent aspiration/inhalation of foreign objects and substances

Question 9

list the 3 main types of matrices used, and when they are most commonly used?

Answer 9

1) Tofflemire: for interproximal posterior Ag/comp restorations
2) Mylar Strips: for interproximal anterior composite restorations
3) Sectionals: for interproximal posterior composite restorations

Question 10

of the 4 key pieces of PPE, which are single-use/disposable & which are reusable/non-disposable?

Answer 10

disposable: face mask, examination gloves

non-disposable: clinical attire, safety glasses

Question 11

Sterilization

Answer 11

The process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores

Question 12

what is the purpose of topical anesthetic

Answer 12

to produce the loss of sensation prior to injections of local anesthetic, to prevent gagging, temp relief from localized diseased areas

Question 13

What is a vasoconstrictor?

Answer 13

numbing drug which constricts blood vessels to increase duration of anesthetic (& prevents bleeding)

Question 14

what are pathogens

Answer 14

Disease causing microorganisms

Question 15

what is meant by the “transmission of pathogens”?

Answer 15

pathogens can be spread from one host to another

Question 16

List the steps in the chain of infection

Answer 16

—infectious agent (pathogen)

• • reservoir
• • portal of exit
• • transmission
• • portal of entry
• • susceptible host

Question 17

why are matrices used during restorative procedures?

Answer 17

to build a temporary wall in place of the one which held the decay (interproximal walls of the tooth)

Question 18

in relation to the chain of infection, what must be true about the reservoir?

Answer 18

must be suitable for the survival of the pathogens (ie. H2O systems, people, equipment, instruments)

Question 19

in relation to the chain of infection, what must be true about the infectious agent?

Answer 19

strong, large in quantity. generally will be a bacteria or virus.

Question 20

in relation to the chain of infection, what are some examples of portals of exit?

Answer 20

• coughing
• sneezing
• blood
• aerosols
• spatter

Question 21

what are non-disposable items in dentistry?

Answer 21

items which CAN be sterilized and reused rather than thrown away after use

Question 22

in relation to the chain of infection, list the 3 primary types of transmission & briefly explain each one:

Answer 22

1. direct - infectious agent moves from reservoir directly to a susceptible host
2. indirect - infectious agent moves from a reservoir to a host indirectly through suspended air particles/inanimate objects
3. airborne - infectious agent moves from a reservoir to a host indirectly through either aerosols (small particles) or spatter/droplets (large particles)

Question 23

how many of the 6 links in the chain of infection have to be present for an infection to potentially occur?

Answer 23

All 6 of them

Question 24

what are disposable items in dentistry?

Answer 24

items which CANNOT be sterilized and must be disposed of after use

Question 25

in relation to the chain of infection, what are some common portals of entry in the body?

Answer 25

broken skin, nose, ears, mouth, needles, inhalation etc.

Question 26

what is the body’s number one barrier against infection?

Answer 26

UNBROKEN skin

Question 27

in relation to the chain of infection, what characteristics would classify a host as susceptible?

Answer 27

compromised immune system, age (very young or elderly), medical conditions

Question 28

in the healthcare field, how do we minimize risk of infection among patients/ourselves?

Answer 28

by treating all patients as though they are potentially infectious

Question 29

list the instruments and burs needed for an Ag tray set up (SINGLE SURFACE)

Answer 29

instruments: basic 3, spoon excavator, condenser, discoid-cleoid, ball burnisher, articulating forceps & paper
burs: 557, 330, small round, large round, inverted cone

Question 30

what are Routine/Standard Practices?

Answer 30

precautions which must be taken when dealing with a potentially infectious environment or person, to keep both them and ourselves safe