Cindy AmadorResearch PaperDA 50, Mon/Wed 9:304/21/14Infection Control in the Dental OfficeInfection control, a term that describes procedures taken to reduce the spread of infections. The dental office is a place where many people are treated, including patients with infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and many other highly contagious diseases. It is imperative that in any dental practice the prevention of the spread of microorganisms from patient to patient, patient to patient or staff to staff be carried out as carefully as possible. great precaution. Infection control has two main purposes: to protect patients from harmful pathogens as well as members of the dental team. Infections can cause or worsen pain, deteriorate a person's health and, in the worst cases, even lead to death. In order to understand infection control in a dental setting, you must understand the standard precautions required by organizations that regulate or recommend infection control, the types of preventive measures taken, as well as when these measures should be taken. All practicing dentists, dental associates, and laboratories follow standard precautions and recommendations specified by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Standard precautions, previously known as universal standard precautions, focus on the perception that all blood and bodily fluids, whether or not they contain blood, such as saliva, can be contaminated and should be considered safe. infectious. (Bebermeyer). Infection control methods practiced in dental offices were established by the CDC in 2003 with the Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Care Settings (Kohn). These guidelines include the use of protective barriers, personal shields amid papers and pipes, control buttons, switches, handpieces, and x-ray machines (Collins). After each patient visit, the operating room must be sterilized and disinfected. Any areas that were not covered by a barrier, or if the barrier was compromised, should be wiped down with surface disinfectants similarly used in hospitals. OSHA requires disinfectants to be strong enough to combat HIV and HBV infections (Collins). If there is blood present on a surface, a tuberculocide type disinfectant should be used. Infection control in dentistry is crucial for the well-being of employees as well as patients. Many precautions must be taken to avoid serious illness or injury. There are many steps and guidelines to follow when it comes to infection prevention, but as dental office employees, we must take the time to ensure no harm is caused to clients or ourselves..