Guidelines for infection control in dentistry

    There are many different equipments that we use in the dental clinic. Base on their application and composition, we can divide them into three categories: critical, semi-critical and non-critical. According to their classification, we can choose the optimal way to sterilize and disinfect them. In this way, we can prevent transmission of infections among patients and dental health care personnel.

Critical Items [1]

1. Critical items: Items that will enter tissue or vascular system or blood will flow through them. They should be sterilized after each use.
Ø   Examples: Extraction forceps, scalpel blades, bone chisels, periodontal scalers, and surgical burs.

Amalgam condensers [2]

2. Semi-critical items: Items that will come in contact with mucous membrane or non-intact skin. If they are heat-tolerant, sterilization after each use is recommended. If they are heat-sensitive, high-level disinfection should be done.

Ø   Examples: Dental mouth mirrors, amalgam condensers and impression trays.

3. Non-critical items: Items that will come in contact with intact skin. They can be further divided into clinical contact and housekeeping surface.

1) Clinical contact surfaces:

    Surfaces that are touched frequently with gloved hands during patient care, or may become contaminated with blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious material and then come in contact with instruments, devices, hands, or gloves. Proper treatment of clinical contact surfaces is a combination of barriers and cleaning and disinfection. Using barriers to protect surfaces that are likely to become contaminated with blood or difficult to clean. Remove and discard barriers between patients. If barriers are not used, surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected between patients by using intermediate-disinfectant or low-level disinfectant. 

Ø   Examples: Light handles, switches, dental X-ray equipment, chair-side computers and air/water syringe buttons.

Clinical Contact Surfaces [3]

2) Housekeeping surfaces:

    Surfaces that are not contact directly with patients or devices used in dental procedures. Proper Treatment of housekeeping surfaces can occur at the end of the day with a detergent and water or an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant.

Ø   Examples: Floors, walls and tabletops.

Housekeeping Surfaces [4]

Introduction of different kinds of dental instruments

See more information on these links:
1. Critical/ Semi-critical/ Non-critical items
2. Clinical contact/ housekeeping surface

Picture resources:
1. http://www.amerdental.com/blog/practice-tips-76/
2. http://www.amerdental.com/amalgam-instruments/amalgam-condenser-1-2-round.html
3. http://www.slideshare.net/DanaSinzianaBreharCi/dental-healthcare-associated-infections-an-overview-of-pathogens-risks-and-control-measures
4. http://www.slideshare.net/DanaSinzianaBreharCi/dental-healthcare-associated-infections-an-overview-of-pathogens-risks-and-control-measures