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| Many
people experience undue anxiety about visiting the dentist. In recent
years, the remote possibility of being exposed to AIDS or other
infections in the dental office has heightened that anxiety. But
dentists take a host of precautions throughout the day to protect
their patients. |
| You
should know about these measures, but you may find that talking
with your dentist is difficult. Not only can technical language
get in the way, but so can fear and anxiety. |
| You
may not be aware that sterilization and other infection control
precautions take place, be cause many of these procedures occur
out of your view. We want to give you some tips on how to talk with
your dentist, and on some of the things you can look for in your
dentist's office to allay your anxiety about patient safety. Spending
a few minutes talking about infection control procedures will not
only boost your confidence, it also will help you become a smart
dental consumer and form a successful relationship with your dentist.
Here's what you should ask. |
Why Is Infection Control Important in Dentistry?
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Both
patients and dental health care personnel (DHCP) can be exposed
to pathogens
Contact with blood, oral and respiratory secretions, and contaminated
equipment occurs
Proper procedures can prevent transmission of infections among patients
and DHCP |
Direct
contact with blood or body fluids
Indirect contact with a contaminated instrument or surface
Contact of mucosa of the eyes, nose or mouth with droplets or spatter
Inhalation of airborne microorganisms . |
Apply
to all patients
Integrate and expand Universal Precautions to include organisms
spread by blood and also
Body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat, whether or
not they contain blood
Non-intact (broken) skin
Mucous membranes . |
Elements of Standard Precautions
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Hand washing
Use of gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns
Patient care equipment
Environmental surfaces Injury prevention
Injury Prevention |
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