Biomaterial Database

Infection control in the dental office. 2008

Mark V Thomas, and Glena Jarboe, and Robert Q Frazer

Division of Periodontology, University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0297, USA. mvthom0@uky.edu

The risk of infectious disease transmission is an inherent part of dental practice. Fortunately, such risks can be greatly reduced through modern infection control practices. Such practices include the use of various measures, including administrative, engineering, and work practice controls. Such measures should be codified in an office infection control plan, which should form the basis for the daily infection control activities of the staff. This article discusses some of the measures that should be taken to safeguard the health of dental healthcare workers and patients.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007114	Immunization	Deliberate stimulation of the host's immune response. ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION involves administration of ANTIGENS or IMMUNOLOGIC ADJUVANTS. PASSIVE IMMUNIZATION involves administration of IMMUNE SERA or LYMPHOCYTES or their extracts (e.g., transfer factor, immune RNA) or transplantation of immunocompetent cell producing tissue (thymus or bone marrow).	Immunologic Stimulation,Immunostimulation,Sensitization, Immunologic,Variolation,Immunologic Sensitization,Immunological Stimulation,Sensitization, Immunological,Stimulation, Immunologic,Immunizations,Immunological Sensitization,Immunological Sensitizations,Immunological Stimulations,Sensitizations, Immunological,Stimulation, Immunological,Stimulations, Immunological,Variolations
D011482	Protective Devices	Devices designed to provide protection against injury.	Safety Devices,Device, Protective,Device, Safety,Devices, Protective,Devices, Safety,Protective Device,Safety Device
D011996	Records	Works on authentic evidence, of something having legal importance. The concept includes certificates of birth, death, etc., as well as hospital, medical, and other institutional records.	Records as Topic,Personal Identification Systems,Travel Documents,Documents, Travel,Identification Systems, Personal,Personal Identification System,Record,Records as Topics
D003748	Dental Equipment	The nonexpendable items used by the dentist or dental staff in the performance of professional duties. (From Boucher's Clinical Dental Terminology, 4th ed, p106)	Equipment, Dental,Dental Equipments,Equipments, Dental
D003762	Dental Instruments	Hand-held tools or implements especially used by dental professionals for the performance of clinical tasks.	Instrument, Dental,Dental Instrument,Instruments, Dental
D003770	Dental Offices	The room or rooms in which the dentist and dental staff provide care. Offices include all rooms in the dentist's office suite.	Dental Office,Office, Dental,Offices, Dental
D003797	Dental Staff	Personnel who provide dental service to patients in an organized facility, institution or agency. This includes those who work in DENTAL FACILITIES but do not provide direct dental care.	Dental Receptionists,Dental Receptionist,Dental Staffs,Receptionist, Dental,Receptionists, Dental,Staff, Dental,Staffs, Dental
D004203	Disinfection	Rendering pathogens harmless through the use of heat, antiseptics, antibacterial agents, etc.
D005932	Gloves, Surgical	Gloves, usually rubber, worn by surgeons, examining physicians, dentists, and other health personnel for the mutual protection of personnel and patient.	Surgical Gloves,Glove, Surgical,Surgical Glove
D006235	Hand Disinfection	The act of cleansing the hands with water or other liquid, with or without the inclusion of soap or other detergent, for the purpose of destroying infectious microorganisms.	Disinfection, Hand,Handwashing,Hand Sanitization,Hand Washing,Scrubbing, Surgical,Surgical Scrubbing,Hand Washings,Sanitization, Hand,Washing, Hand,Washings, Hand