First Steps to Dentistry- Infection Control 1

• When to Report the Water Quality of the DUWLs?

  - Signs of biofilm

  - Different colours (Brown or yellow) water

  - Smell of water

  - Particulate matter or black dots

  - Any block lines or difficulty in flushing the lines will indicate a blockage
• Flushing:

  
  

  how do we flush the DUWLs?

  - Do a wet flush in the mornings

  - Flush 20 seconds in between each patient

  - Do a dry flush at the end of day

  
  

  DUWL bottle has an ICX tablet with either distilled, reverse osmosis or potable water.

  DUWL bottle MUST be placed inverted to be drained in the holder to prevent biofilm (an assemblage of microbial cells that is not removed by gentle rinsing) buildup.
• Flushing:

  
  

  why do we flush DUWLs?

  We flush to prevent contaminated dental unit waterlines as they pose a risk of infection to the patient
• Flushing:

  
  

  what are DUWLs?

  Dental unit waterlines

  -a complex system that delivers water to different points: water bottle tanks, handpieces for high-speed drills, ultrasonic scalers, and air and water syringes
• do we clean from high risk areas to low risk areas

  no we clean from low risk areas to high risk areas

  
  

  eg: from light to chair, bracket table and then suctions and spittoon
• what is a low risk surface?


  clean (anything not contaminated)

  
  

  eg: notes, clean instruments
• what is a high risk surface?

  dirty (anything contaminated)

  
  

  eg: dental chair, used instruments
• what is barrier covering?

  barriers (normally clear plastic bags/film) are used on high-risk surfaces to mitigate cross-contamination from client to client
• what is zoning?

  Zoning minimises the risk for infection by creating designated clean & dirty zones
• what do you do after a spillage?

  a spillage is a spill/leak of contaminated fluid

  -must be removed (wipe in S shaped pattern from clean to dirty)

  
  

  - for body fluid spills, peracetic acid wipes can be used
• Waste Management:

  
  

  what goes in clear waste bags?

  domestic waste: waste that is generated as a result of the ordinary day-to-day use

  
  

  (not regarded as clinical waste)
• Waste Management:

  
  

  What goes in yellow sharps bins?

  Waste that contains medical residues e.g. medically contaminated needles, syringes or bodies

  
  

  - need to be replaced with 3 quarters full
• Waste Management:

  
  

  What goes in orange clinical waste bags?

  Clinical and infectious waste e.g. contaminated swabs, aprons, gloves, masks etc.
• Waste Management:

  
  

  why is it important?

  - ensures safety of staff and patient

  
  

  - infection control:

  avoids pest infestations, avoids cross-contamination of patients

  
  

  -environment:

  we have a duty of care so waste management lessens negative impacts on environment

  
  

  -legislation:

  waste is governed by laws and regulations

  
  

  -cost:

  ensure correct segregation to avoid being fined
• PPE:

  
  

  what is the uniform/dress code?

  -Clean and professional image

  -hair neat and in buns

  -Tunics

  -Black or navy trousers

  -Short sleeves

  -No Jewellery only a small stud earring and plain wedding band

  -no nail polish/acrylics

  -no watches

  -Appropriate footwear

  -No uniform outside the Hospital
• PPE:

  
  

  In what order should you take off your PPE?

  Gloves, apron, mask, eye protection

  
  

  GAME
• PPE ( personal protective equipment):

  
  

  In what order should you put on your PPE?

  Apron, mask, eye protection and gloves

  
  

  AMEG
• Hand Hygiene:

  
  

  what to use:

  -Liquid soap and warm water

  -Alcohol foam/gel

  -Antibacterial solutions (Hibiscrub)


  Liquid soap and warm water:

  When hands are visibly soiled or contaminated to remove dirt and transient organisms

  
  

  Alcohol foam/gel:

  Used on clean hands to remove transient and some resident organisms between patient contact

  
  

  Antibacterial solutions (Hibiscrub):

  Restricted to aseptic procedures and surgery
• Hand Hygiene:

  
  

  give the steps to the Ayliffe technique

  1) wet hands

  2) apply soap and rub palms together

  3) reverse the hands and get the backs and in between the finger tips

  4) grip the fingers on each hand

  5) rub the thumbs

  6) press the fingertips into the palm of each hand

  7) rub the wrists

  8) dry with clean towel
• Hand Hygiene:

  
  

  What technique should you use to wash your hands?

  Ayliffe technique
• Hand Hygiene:

  
  

  When should you wash your hands?

  -When entering & leaving the surgery/bay

  -Before & after physical contact with each patient

  -After handling contaminated items or contact with bodily fluids

  -Before & after clearing up clinical area & handling instruments

  -After visiting the toilets

  -After blowing your nose

  -Before & after handling food/drink

  -Whenever your hands are obviously dirty
• Hand Hygiene:

  
  

  why is Hand Hygiene important?

  A number of infectious diseases can be spread from one person to another by contaminated hands
• Hand Hygiene:

  
  

  what are transient organisms?

  organisms that are picked up easily from the environment or during patient contact

  -easily transferred
• Hand Hygiene:

  
  

  what are resident organisms?

  organisms that live naturally within the skin

  -not easily transferred
• What are some dentally important pathogens?

  -Hepatitis viruses

  -TB (tuberculosis)

  -MRSA

  -HIV ( human immunodeficiency virus)

  -Water borne pathogens

  -Prions

  -Herpes & other viruses

  -URTIs ( upper respiratory tract infections)

  -Covid-19

  -fungi- candida albican
• How can infectious diseases be transmitted?

  Direct:

  -direct contact

  -inoculation

  -ingestion

  
  

  Indirect:

  -fomites

  -droplets/inhalation

  -vector/infestation
• What is an infectious disease?

  One which damages or injures the person as a result of the presence and activity of one or more pathogenic, microbial agents
• why is infection control important?

  -protects you, your staff, and your patients (safety)

  -clean hands save lives (duty of care)

  -it is a GDC (General Dental Council) requirement

  -maintains best practice

  -poor infection control can lead to closure and negative publicity
• What is infection control?


  The methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms.