ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 was first reported in China in December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and spread primarily via an airborne route. Hand hygiene, surgical masks, vaccinations and boosters, air filtration, environmental sanitization, instrument sterilization, mouth rinses, and social distancing are essential infection control measures against the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This paper aims to provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based protective strategies.
ABSTRACT
The ability of MRSA and other staphylococci to colonize, persist, and adapt to multiple environmental and tissue conditions has allowed for these bacteria to be virtually ubiquitous in their distribution. The effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics, such as penicillin, has continued to decline against infections caused by MRSA and increasingly resistant strains. The challenge for both dental and medical health professionals is to routinely apply proven, evidence-based infection control precautions. As mentioned earlier in this discussion, when compliance with effective aseptic technique practices improves, the patients and environments. Ensure that reusable equipment is not used for the care of another patient until it has been appropriately cleaned and reprocessed and that single-use items are properly discarded. Clean and disinfect clinical contact surfaces that are not barrier-protected by using an environmental protection agency-registered hospital disinfectant with a low- (ie, HIV and HBV label claims) to intermediate-level (ie, tuberculocidal claim) activity after each patient. When the surface is visibly contaminated with blood, an intermediate-incidence of detectable infections can be reduced. Microorganisms will continue to evolve and adapt in order to survive and thrive, sometimes at the expense of susceptible human hosts. The struggle is to constantly remain aware of impending infectious threats which may challenge current precautions, and maintain and improve the quality of infection control to minimize the potential for disease.
Subject(s)
Infection Control, Dental/methods , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Community-Acquired Infections/transmission , Cross Infection/transmission , Humans , Incidence , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics , Penicillin-Binding Proteins/genetics , Peptide Synthases/genetics , Universal PrecautionsSubject(s)
Infection Control, Dental , Disinfection/methods , Ethanol , Eye Protective Devices , Hand Disinfection/methods , Hepatitis B Vaccines , Humans , Immunologic Memory , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology , Influenza Vaccines/adverse effects , Steam , Sterilization/instrumentation , Sterilization/methods , Vaccination/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
The goal of a dental infection control program is to provide a safe working environment that will reduce the risk of health care-associated infections among patients and occupational exposures among staff members. Minimizing the potential for percutaneous sharps injuries is a primary focus for a comprehensive infection control program. This article will review the advantages of using instrument cassettes, as well as provide an overview of engineering and work practice controls and instrument processing, to emphasize how appropriate use of instrument cassettes can improve office safety and infection control.
Subject(s)
Dental Instruments , Infection Control, Dental/instrumentation , Needlestick Injuries/prevention & control , Protective Devices , Decontamination/methods , Humans , Sterilization/methodsSubject(s)
Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Common Cold/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Influenza Vaccines , SeasonsSubject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/pathogenicity , Influenza in Birds/virology , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/virology , Animals , Birds , Cambodia/epidemiology , Humans , Thailand/epidemiology , Vietnam/epidemiology , Zoonoses/epidemiology , Zoonoses/transmissionSubject(s)
Influenza A virus/pathogenicity , Influenza in Birds/virology , Animals , Birds/virology , HumansSubject(s)
Ethanol/therapeutic use , Hand Disinfection/methods , Infection Control, Dental/standards , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S./standards , Hand Disinfection/standards , Humans , United States , United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration/standards , Universal PrecautionsABSTRACT
Infection control guidelines address the routine use of disposable covers and cleaning and disinfecting treatment-area surfaces contaminated during patient care. While the rationale and approaches for accomplishing environmental surface disinfection have been considered in many previous infection control recommendations, exaggerated claims have led to some confusion regarding the wide variety of available surface covers and disinfectant products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003, considers the current state of scientific and clinical knowledge in environmental infection control, reinforce basic principles, and provide updated recommendations aimed at minimizing the potential for microbial cross-contamination and cross-infection from inanimate surfaces.
Subject(s)
Dental Equipment/microbiology , Environmental Microbiology , Infection Control, Dental/methods , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Dental Disinfectants/classification , Dental Disinfectants/therapeutic use , Detergents/therapeutic use , Disinfection/methods , Disposable Equipment , Equipment Contamination/prevention & control , Humans , Practice Guidelines as Topic , United StatesABSTRACT
This article uses the 2003 CDC infection control guidelines for dentistry as a framework for discussing representative questions and issues that continue to be raised by dental health care workers. Where applicable, additional supporting evidence will be incorporated to provide appropriate, useful information, to assist in understanding and complying with updated recommendations.
Subject(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S./standards , Infection Control, Dental/methods , Gloves, Protective/standards , Hand Disinfection/standards , Humans , Protective Clothing/standards , United StatesABSTRACT
The role of the microbiology laboratory is essential to successful provision of patient care. Obtaining appropriate laboratory data allows clinicians the best opportunity to arrive at a definitive diagnosis in a timely manner, eliminates the need for further tests, and can offer specific treatment approaches with maximal potential for success. This article discusses the laboratory procedures useful for diagnosis of oral or maxillofacial infections, including collection and transport of microbial specimens, representative techniques and methods available for culture and diagnostic assays, diagnostic laboratory principles for specific types of microbial etiologies, antimicrobial sensitivity, quality control issues, and evaluation of reported findings.