Basic guide to infection prevention and control in dentistry / Caroline Pankhurst and Wil Coulter.

Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1: Essentials Of Infection Control -- Why do we need infection control in dentistry? -- Relative risk and risk perception -- Risk assessment and the management decision-making process -- How to perform a risk assessment in a dental practice -- Hierarchy of risk management control -- Infection control and the law -- Legal acts under which dental practice is conducted -- Published standards and guidance -- Team approach to prevention of infection -- References and websites -- 2: Communicable Diseases In The Dental Surgery -- How infections are spread -- Reservoirs and sources of infection -- Infectious disease by route of transmission in the dental surgery -- Emerging and re-emerging pathogens -- References and websites -- Further reading -- 3: Occupational Health And Immunisation -- Provision of occupational health -- Building a culture of safety -- Organising staff health in your practice -- Immunisation requirements for dentistry -- Protecting women of childbearing age -- Who should be immunised against hepatitis B? -- Health clearance and the consequences of blood-borne virus infection -- Health clearance -- Health clearance for registration with the general dental council -- References and websites -- 4: Sharp Safe Working In The Dental Surgery -- Why sharps prevention is important -- When do sharps injuries occur -- Preventable sharps injuries -- How to avoid having a sharps injury -- Use of safety devices -- How to avoid sharps injuries-sharp safe disposal -- Managing sharps injuries -- Occupational health risk assessment for BBV exposure -- Management of hepatitis C exposures -- Post-exposure prophylaxis -- Recording of sharps injuries -- Clinical governance and accident risk assessment -- References and websites -- Further reading -- 5: Hand Hygiene -- Hands as a source of infection -- Hands as a source of hospital-acquired infection -- Hand hygiene and team working -- Hand hygiene technique -- Hand care and prevention of irritant dermatitis -- References and websites -- 6: Personal Protection For Prevention Of Cross-Infection -- Role of gloves -- Choosing a suitable glove for the task -- Managing an allergy to NRL gloves -- Managing latex allergies in patients -- Masks, visors and goggles and the protection of mucous membranes and the airway -- Types of masks and when to use them -- Protection during cardiopulmonary resuscitation -- Protective eyewear and visors -- Protective eyewear -- Tunics and uniforms -- Protective barriers-plastic aprons and surgical gowns -- References and websites -- Further reading -- 7: Sterilization And Disinfection Of Dental Instruments -- Decontamination cycle -- Why has cleaning become so important? -- Legal requirements and technical standards for decontamination -- Where should instrument decontamination take place? -- Design of dedicated decontamination units -- Presterilization cleaning of dental instruments -- Cleaning of dental handpieces -- Mechanical cleaning with an ultrasonic bath -- Thermal washer disinfectors -- Instrument inspection -- Dental instrument sterilization -- Suitability of steriliser for different loads -- Steriliser installation and validation -- Selecting the correct temperature, pressure and time for sterilization -- Steam purity and maintenance of water reservoir chamber -- Maintenance of the steriliser water reservoir -- How do you know your steriliser is working? -- Loading the steriliser -- How to operate the steriliser -- Storage of wrapped and unwrapped instruments -- Single-use items -- Single-use instruments and vCJD -- Disinfection of heat-sensitive equipment -- Disinfection of dental impressions -- Further reading -- 8: Dental Surgery Design, Disinfection, And Managing Aerosols -- Dental surgery design -- Surface cleaning and decontamination -- Management of aerosols and splatter -- Managing large blood or body fluid spillages -- References and websites -- 9: Dental Unit Waterlines -- What are biofilms? -- Risk to staff and patient health from dental unit waterlines -- Methods to reduce the biofilm -- Control of legionellae in dental unit waterlines -- References and websites -- Further reading -- 10: Health Care Waste Management -- Legislation on hazardous waste disposal -- Types of waste -- What is hazardous waste? -- Hazardous waste regulations and the European waste catalogue code -- Amalgam waste and installation of amalgam separators -- Segregation and disposal of clinical waste -- Safe handling and storage of clinical and hazardous waste prior to disposal -- Transport of clinical waste -- References and websites -- Further reading -- 11: Transport And Postage Of Diagnostic Specimens, Impressions, And Equipment For Servicing And Repair -- Legal framework -- Collecting specimens -- Transport of specimens to the laboratory -- Transport restrictions -- Fixed pathological specimens -- Transporting impressions -- Equipment to be sent for service or repair -- Further reading -- Appendix -- Table 12-1: Daily infection control clinical pathway -- Table 12-2: Decontamination methods for specific instruments and items of dental equipment -- Table 12-3: Hand and hard surface disinfectants and dental unit waterline biocides -- Further sources of information -- Index.

This title offers practical information for all members of the dental team on the prevention and control of infection; with clear explanations of the key issues and concepts, an orientation of the evidence base and legal framework as well as step-by-step guidance on the safe running of a dental practice.