Infection Control at a Glance

Infection control in a nutshell; critical aspects to remember. 100 pages of cutting-edge information in a concentrated format you don't want to miss. All you need to know to keep yourself, your staff and your patients healthy. 

  • Taking on the Challenge

    The hygiene challenges in a dental clinic are the focus of chapter 1. The inevitable presence of infectious microorganisms in a practice, the fast evolution of pathogens, and legal obligations related to hygiene require complete focus by dental practitioners.

    The terms pathogen, contamination, infection, and resistance are defined in this chapter. The various paths of cross-contamination in the dental clinic are enumerated and discussed. The body's natural defensive barriers include the skin, the mucous membranes as well as antibodies that target specific antigens.

    The chapter highlights the need to dedicate sufficient attention to the prevention of diseases. The prevention of pathogenic contamination by means of serious and effective infection control is highlighted.

  • Bacteria: Handy Sidekicks or Mini Menaces?

    Chapter 2 covers bacteria discussing their structure, the different shapes and sizes, their taxonomy and their reproduction methods.

    The various classifications of these unicellular microorganisms are identified according to their shapes and sizes (coccoid, rod shaped, spiral shaped, etc.) and whether or not they have cell walls (gracilicutes, firmicutes, tenericutes, and mendosicutes). In addition, they are differentiated according to toxicity for humans and their usefulness for their human hosts (pathogens, obligate pathogens, facultative pathogens).

    In this chapter, the human immune system is elaborated on, and the various antibacterial treatments are explained based their antibacterial effectiveness.

  • Viruses: The Sneaky Freeloaders You Don't Want to Meet

    Compared to their bacterial counterparts, viruses are tiny but are definitely more powerful. This is the focus of chapter 3.

    The complicated structure of these microorganisms is explained to enhance the understanding of their infectiousness. Equally, the classification according to naked and enveloped viruses is explained.

    Viruses are considered offensive and destructive as they continuously fight their host cells. The means by which they endlessly reproduce up to the point of triggering infections are reviewed.

    The infection of the host cells and the extent of pathogenic damage or infection brought about by viruses are also explained.

    Medicinal antiviral treatments that aim at preventing either the penetration or the reproduction of viruses are listed. The various types of viruses commonly found in dental clinics are enumerated and discussed.

  • Fungi on Land, Water, and Even on Your Dinner Plate

    With more than a hundred thousand varieties currently known, fungi are omnipresent. These unique life forms play a vital role in many cultures around the globe.

    Biologists long disputed whether fungi should be considered animals or plants. Finally, the dispute has been settled by assigning them their own classification.

    Divided into three groups, i.e. budding fungi, filamentous fungi, and dimorphic fungi, these eukaryotic cells are known to grow and multiply at incredible speeds.

    In this chapter, useful fungi such as those used in making cheese and beer are mentioned. Special emphasis is put on truffles (edible mushrooms) and antibiotics devised from fungi.

    Except for systemic mycosis that causes life-threatening infections, fungal infections are easily treatable with antifungal agents that are also discussed in this chapter.

  • Prions: Proteins with Attitude

    In this chapter, prions, which are the smallest pathogens know to man, are discussed.

    Despite their inability to reproduce, these non-nucleic-acid-containing particles can cause the transformation of proteins into more dangerous forms of prions.

    The chapter illustrates the domino effect by which prions can trigger infections. It enumerates the many diseases that prions bring about. Sporadic prion infections, genetically triggered prion infections and food contaminations are all attributed to the human body’s inability to pinpoint the harmful particles and develop defensive measures.

  • The Treatment of Choice: Cleaning, Disinfection, Sterilization

    Cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing are the three basic concepts that form the foundation for the implementation of health and safety measures in the dental and medical offices. These three concepts are thoroughly explained and thoughtfully examined in this chapter.

    Equally, the ideal hygiene plan is defined and discussed in chapter 7. The chapter emphasizes the itemization of every staff member’s work.

    The framework of a hygiene plan, which was published by Federal Chamber of German Dentists and the German Committee for Hygiene Dentistry, is illustrated and discussed.

    The various disinfectants employed in the different disinfecting mechanisms are likewise enumerated, including the functions that they have, the means by which they are applied, and the advantages and disadvantages of their use.

  • General Hygiene in the Practice: An Immaculate System

    The danger of infection is one of the driving factors behind the implementation of hygienic practices in dental offices. General practice hygiene is not limited to the disinfection of hands but includes office surfaces, suction units, water systems, dental impressions, as well as the proper cleaning and reprocessing of the clinical instruments.

    Chapter 8 provides a detailed overview of practice clothing and its significance with regard the occurrence of cross-contamination in the dental clinic. Furthermore, the many areas related to work clothing are likewise examined. Various types of work clothes, the reprocessing of the laundry, the use of gloves during treatments and other protective measures are enumerated. Emphasis is put on additional protective measures including the use of face-masks, safety goggles and visors, patient gowns and drapes.

    In addition, vaccinations of the employees for an integral part of the standard safety measures in the dental clinic; this significant aspect is discussed in chapter 8.

  • Hand Hygiene: Safe from the Thumb to the Pinky

    As the chapter heading implies, this part of the book focuses on the vital role hands play in maintaining hygiene in the dental clinic. The chapter further discusses the proper and correct way of washing one’s hands, the correct frequency by which the hands should be washed, and the appropriate methods of disinfecting one’s hands, just to name a few.

    Also, techniques on how to prevent contact infections of transient germs are enumerated while some tips are shared on how to keep one’s hands stress free.

    Finally, the chapter ends with a tabular summary of its content where the following are listed: methods of disinfection, effective spectra, exposure times, effective duration and possible side effects resulting from the interaction with hand disinfectants.

  • Cleaning and Disinfection of Surfaces: By No Means Superficial

    Surfaces are high-risk areas in the dental clinic. Hence, chapter 10 places particular emphasis on surface disinfection.

    Disinfectants for the various surface types and sizes are elaborated on. Requirements and characteristics of effective surface disinfectants are enumerated including aspects related to odor, the absence of aldehydes and phenols as wells as exposure times and concentrations.

    The chapter differentiates between near-to-patient and far-from-patient surfaces and outlines their respective disinfection methods and frequencies.

    Spray-and-wipe disinfections are explained, enumerating their respective advantages and disadvantages. Floor disinfection is paid particular attention toward the end of this chapter.

    Finally, potential causes for unsuccessful disinfections are discussed, providing guidance for the dental staff.

  • The Reprocessing of Instruments: Err on the Side of Caution

    Instrument and equipment hygiene in the dental clinic are focused on in chapter 11. The introduction of the chapter talks about the proper and safe processing of all medical devices in the dental and medical sectors.

    A table illustrates the Robert Koch Institute's classification of the medical devices subdividing them into noncritical, semicritical, or critical categories.

    This part discusses the correct processing of the two most important categories, i.e., the critical and noncritical medical devices. Also included in the chapter are similar recommendations for heat-resistant devices, rotating dental instruments (critical device), heat-labile medical devices, and other single or multi-use medical devices.

  • Avoiding the Reflux: The Cleaning and Disinfection of Aspirating Units

    The term reflux refers to the flowing of fluids from the suction unit back to a patients oral cavity. This problematic is the core of chapter 12.

    A reflux is brought about by the poor handling of the suction hose or when the cannula sticks to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity or the patient’s tongue. Chapter 12 provides preventive steps.

    Furthermore, biofilms and their formation are explained.

    The features of an effective disinfectant are enumerated, while infection control measures are explained step by step. A tabular representation recommends hygienic measures for the dental clinic’s suction unit, including the frequency by which the measures should be carried out.

  • Dental Impressions and Dental Prosthetic Tools: Dangerous Routes of Transmission

    Dental impressions and dental prosthetic tools are means by which pathogenic germs can be transmitted and dispersed not only in the dental laboratory but also in the dental clinic. Chapter 13 stresses the urgent need to properly clean and disinfect these medical devices to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

    The means by which impressions and prosthetic tools are cleaned and disinfected differ according to the types of composite used. This chapter outlines the requirements from disinfectants used for those specific applications.

    The proper steps to be followed in cleaning and disinfecting these medical devices are discussed.

  • Let the Water Flow Forth: Disinfection of Water Systems

    There are two possible channels of contamination by means of water systems in dental clinics: from tap water or the reflux of water from the suction unit back into the oral cavity. These risk areas are the focus of chapter 14.

    Part of the chapter examines the Robert Koch Institute’s recommendations regarding water hygiene in dental clinics. A table illustrates the means and frequency of hygiene control measures.

    According to the standards of the Drinking Water Ordinance, water disinfection units and systems must be employed in the dental clinic to ensure water safety. These methods are categorized according to long-term, continual, and UV disinfection processes. Their respective pros and cons are outlined.