Biomaterial Database

An overview of infection control in dental practice. 1988

R R Runnells

Department of Dental Education, University of Utah, School of Pathology, Salt Lake City.

Although it is not possible to cover all of the ramifications of infection control in prosthodontics, currently available information may be summarized as follows: 1. All dental disciplines must be concerned with the dangers involved in the spread of certain infectious diseases. 2. Prosthodontists and their ancillary personnel may be exposed to certain diseases predominantly found in adult patients, such as hepatitis B and tuberculosis. 3. Dentists must ensure that at least six basic infection control procedures are observed when treating patients. 4. Additional control procedures should be observed in the fabrication and handling of impressions and dental prosthesis. 5. Dental offices and commercial laboratories should work closely together to coordinate control of potential cross-infection between the two disciplines. The control of infectious diseases in prosthodontics is not difficult. It requires the expenditure of a little time, a little money, and most important, a great deal of discipline. The rewards are well worth the additional effort and could even be lifesaving.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009784	Occupational Diseases	Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment.	Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D011476	Prosthodontics	A dental specialty concerned with the restoration and maintenance of oral function by the replacement of missing TEETH and related structures by artificial devices or DENTAL PROSTHESES.	Dentistry, Prosthetic,Prosthetic Dentistry
D003140	Communicable Disease Control	Programs of surveillance designed to prevent the transmission of disease by any means from person to person or from animal to man.	Flatten the Curve of Epidemic,Flattening the Curve, Communicable Disease Control,Parasite Control,Control, Communicable Disease,Control, Parasite
D006509	Hepatitis B	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by a member of the ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS genus, HEPATITIS B VIRUS. It is primarily transmitted by parenteral exposure, such as transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, but can also be transmitted via sexual or intimate personal contact.	Hepatitis B Virus Infection
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome	An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993.	AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency
D014376	Tuberculosis	Any of the infectious diseases of man and other animals caused by species of MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS.	Koch's Disease,Kochs Disease,Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection,Infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Infections, Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Koch Disease,Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infections,Tuberculoses