Infection Control: PPE for Dental Workers

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Questions and Answers

What is the minimum duration for hand washing prior to seeing a patient?

30 seconds

20 seconds

15 seconds (correct)

10 seconds

In which situation should gloves be changed?

After every third patient

If breakage occurs during treatment (correct)

Only when visibly dirty

Before washing hands

What should be done prior to using an antiseptic hand rub?

Rinse hands with warm water

Use a dry paper towel

Wash away visible dirt (correct)

Apply moisturizer to the hands

Which type of gloves is specifically designed to be used over clinical gloves?

Over gloves Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of procedures for gloving?

Wash hands, place mask and eyewear, glove Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended interval for the second immunization of Hepatitis B?

30 days later Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after completing a clinical procedure in regards to face masks?

Keep the mask on to prevent aerosol contamination Signup and view all the answers

What type of gown is recommended for protection?

Solid closed front gown without pockets Signup and view all the answers

When is it permissible to replace a face mask during a patient session?

If contamination occurs with blood or saliva Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with long hair during clinical practice?

Cover it with a cap or head cover Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of protective eyewear in clinical settings?

To protect eyes from infectious droplets and splatter Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method for removing a contaminated gown?

Fold the contaminated side inward Signup and view all the answers

Which procedure requires the use of a face shield?

Performing aerosol-generating procedures Signup and view all the answers

What should be done immediately after an eye splash during a dental procedure?

Stop the procedure and flush the eye with distilled water Signup and view all the answers

Which type of soap is recommended for hand hygiene in a dental setting?

Antimicrobial liquid soap Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of washing hands in a dental environment?

To reduce bacteria and prevent cross-contamination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for hand hygiene?

Wearing rings while washing hands Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with scrub brushes used for hand cleaning?

Disinfect or sterilize them daily Signup and view all the answers

What is recommended for drying hands after washing them in a dental clinic?

Disposable paper towels Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in nail care protocol for dental staff?

No rings or jewelry Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hand hygiene types involves using alcohol-based products?

Antiseptic hand rub Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of standard precautions in a dental environment?

To consider all patients as contagious Signup and view all the answers

Which item is NOT a part of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required in a dental environment?

Patient’s clothing Signup and view all the answers

How does indirect cross-contamination occur?

From a contaminated object or surface to a person Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines aerosol-generating procedures?

Medical procedures that release aerosol from the respiratory tract Signup and view all the answers

What vaccinations are included in the standard recommendations for oral health care workers?

MMR and Influenza among others Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of clinical attire in dental practices?

To serve as a barrier to prevent cross-contamination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method of direct cross-contamination?

Performing procedures without wearing gloves Signup and view all the answers

What should be the approach toward patient history in standard precautions?

Must be collected for every patient Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection Control in Dental Environment

Emphasis on PPE guidelines predating the COVID-19 pandemic with an upcoming session on current protocols.
Cross-contamination risks include:
- Direct: Person A to Person B
- Indirect: Person A to Object to Person B
Aerosol-generating procedures pose a high risk for respiratory transmission from the respiratory tract.

Standard Precautions

Universal precautions recommend treating all patients as potentially infectious.
Key components include:
- Medical history assessment for each patient
- Vaccinations against MMR, Hepatitis A & B, Influenza, Pneumococcal, Varicella, Meningococcal, and COVID-19.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Daily clinical scrubs recommended; do not wear over street clothes.
Overcoats must be solid, closed-front with no pockets, fitting closely around wrists and neck.

Masks and Face Protection

Masks protect against droplet transmission from saliva and blood.
Change masks for each patient or if contaminated; they must be worn during all clinical activities.
Face shields are necessary for procedures generating aerosols (e.g., fast handpieces, ultrasonic scaling).

Protective Eyewear

Compulsory for all dental staff and patients, shields eyes from infectious materials and flying debris.
Eye wash stations must be available for emergencies with sterile/distilled water; do not use tap water.

Hand Hygiene Practices

Essential to reduce bacteria and prevent cross-contamination.
Use antimicrobial soap (e.g., Hibiscrub) and avoid bar soap.
Protocols include:
- Routine washing: water and non-antimicrobial soap
- Antiseptic washing: water and antimicrobial soap
- Antiseptic hand rub: 60%-95% alcohol-based rub

Nail and Towel Protocol

Keep nails short, free from varnish, and avoid jewelry.
Only disposable paper towels allowed; do not use cloth towels.

Glove Use

Types include latex, vinyl, utility, and over gloves.
Change gloves after each patient or if they are damaged during a procedure.
Proper gloving techniques include washing hands before putting on gloves and ensuring gloves cover cuff of uniform.

Summary of Procedures

Handwashing involves a minimum of 15 seconds before and after patient contact, focusing on thorough cleaning.
Use of over gloves for unnecessary touchpoints (e.g., writing) to avoid contaminating clinical gloves.

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Description

This quiz covers key guidelines for personal protection equipment (PPE) for oral health care workers (OHCW) in the dental environment, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will review video clips and learn about pre-pandemic and current PPE standards.