Infection Control in Radiology and Dental Labs

A designated area within a dental practice to receive and handle all items sent to the laboratory, ensuring proper disinfection before entry. It should be equipped with running water and handwashing facilities.

Impervious paper is used to cover the receiving area and counter surfaces to prevent contamination and facilitate regular cleaning and disinfection.

Dental prostheses are potential sources of infection, requiring proper disinfection before handling. This is because they can harbor bacteria and viruses.

Most prostheses and appliances cannot withstand heat sterilization, so disinfection by immersion after thorough cleaning is a common alternative.

Cleaning, disinfection, and rinsing of dental prostheses and materials with a registered disinfectant having tuberculocidal activity is crucial before handling in the laboratory.

Always wear gloves and protective outerwear when handling prostheses until they are thoroughly disinfected. This helps prevent cross-contamination.

Heavily soiled prostheses with calculus or adhesive require cleaning or scrubbing before disinfection to remove debris effectively.

Placing prostheses in zippered plastic bags containing ultrasonic detergent and then using an ultrasonic cleaner is an efficient and safe method for cleaning and disinfecting.

A process of cleaning dental impressions by immersing them in a disinfectant solution for a specific time (usually 15 minutes).

An alternative to immersion, where dental impressions are thoroughly sprayed with a disinfectant solution and then wrapped with moistened paper towels.

The preferred disinfection method for dental impressions as it ensures consistent contact of the disinfectant with all surfaces.

Protective measures that should be worn when handling disinfectants and cleaning dental prostheses.

Special care should be taken when disinfecting sensitive impression materials, as prolonged immersion may damage them.

Microorganisms found in dental impressions and prostheses must be eliminated to prevent infection.

Cleaned prostheses and impression trays should be sterilized with heat to ensure complete removal of microorganisms.

Instruments used for cleaning and disinfecting dental prostheses must also be properly sanitized.

Dental prostheses that have been disinfected properly should be returned to the patient's office in a deodorizing solution, like a mouth rinse. Never send or receive prostheses in disinfectant solutions due to the increased risk of adverse tissue reactions.

Laboratory work should always be performed on previously disinfected impressions, appliances, and prostheses. Bringing untreated materials into the lab increases the risk of cross-contamination.

Grinding, polishing, and blasting dental materials generates aerosols, spatter, and projectiles. Protect yourself with PPE, including eye protection, a Plexiglas shield, and a properly functioning ventilation system. A mask is highly recommended.

Use an air-suction motor with a minimum air velocity of 200 ft/min to contain aerosols and spatter. Consider using a metal enclosure with hand holes attached to the front of the lathe hood for maximum protection.

Sterilize or disinfect all attachment tools like stones, wheels, and bands between uses or dispose of them. Disinfect the lathe unit twice daily and always use fresh pumice and pan liners for each case.

Polishing dental appliances and prostheses before delivery is important but can expose the operator to cross-contamination and injury. If the item was prepared aseptically, the risks are minimized. Use small quantities of polishing agents to avoid spreading microorganisms.

Dental prostheses are a potential source of infection and require proper disinfection before handling. Improper disinfection could lead to bacteria and viruses being transmitted to the patient or staff.

Involves disinfecting prostheses and impressions before handling them in the laboratory, ensuring they do not contaminate the environment or pose a risk to staff.

Disposable items like brushes, wheels, and cups that are used once and then discarded.

A step in dental prosthesis creation involving a trial fitting of the prosthesis before final cementation or soldering.

A type of dental impression that is taken of the mouth to create a mold for a prosthesis.

Dental appliances and prostheses returned to the patient can still carry microbes, requiring disinfection at the chairside to prevent cross-contamination.

A solution that helps remove odors from prostheses and appliances.

A process used to kill microorganisms and bacteria on instruments and surfaces, ensuring a sterile environment.

Protective equipment like gloves, masks, and eyewear used to safeguard individuals from potential contamination or injury.

Items used in the mouth, like metal impression trays and face-bow forks, need to be cleaned and sterilized with heat to kill all germs.

For disposable items, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If not available, clean and sterilize with heat or use a disinfectant with low-level to intermediate-level activity.

Gloves, masks, gowns, and eyeglasses protect you from germs. Always wear them during patient care and use protective covers for surfaces.

Dental tools like film holding devices should be sterilized with heat. Use heat-tolerant or disposable options whenever possible.

Films used for taking X-rays are placed in barrier pouches and then into a disposable cup or on a labeled paper towel to prevent spreading germs.

Dental prostheses and materials (impressions, bite registrations, etc.) must undergo cleaning, disinfection, and rinsing with an EPA-registered disinfectant. This ensures they're free of germs before handling.

Always check the manufacturer's instructions for disinfecting specific materials, like impression materials.

When sending lab cases off-site or receiving them back, include details on the disinfection technique used. This ensures everyone knows how the items were cleaned.

After exposure, film packs are rinsed with water, soaked in a bleach or iodophor solution for 10 minutes, rinsed again, and dried with a clean paper towel before being placed in the loader.

Film packs are pre-wrapped with a removable plastic barrier. After exposure, the outer wrapping is removed, and the film packet is dropped onto a clean surface, avoiding contact with contaminated gloves.

Only films that are not contaminated should be placed in the daylight loader, because it cannot be fully disinfected.

Gloves are donned before handling films in a darkroom, and care is taken not to touch contaminated surfaces with the gloves.

After opening the film packet, the films are placed on a clean paper towel, and the contaminated wrapper is disposed of properly.

Films are placed in the processor with gloved hands, and hand hygiene is performed immediately after.

After processing, the films are placed into their mounts using care not to contaminate them with instruments used during the procedure.

Surface barriers are removed from equipment, or contaminated surfaces are cleaned and disinfected after each use, ensuring a clean environment.