Hygiene protocols in dental practice - Essay Example

? Essay 15May Hygiene protocols in dental practice For Prevention of infectious diseases Introduction: To perform Dental Practices under controlled conditions is aimed at eliminating or minimizing the possible risk of infection. Absolute sterile conditions are not achievable, however much depends upon the professional attitude and due diligence shown in this respect, to keep the patient, healthcare staff and other persons or personnel who may come in contact with contaminants at any stage. Food or water borne diseases are mostly caused by the toxins produced by the causative pathogens, as food poisoning is caused by the Golden Staph. ‘Staphylococcus aureus. This takes long time. Although numerically most of the microbes are human friendly ‘like Lacto bacilli’, yet from a strategic and control point of , they should be regarded and treated as ‘Pathogens’. In reference to the Dental Practices, not all the Pathogens, like those, causing water or food borne diseases, are important, therefore focus should not be lost on this account. “For the Prevention of Transmission of Viral Infection in Dentistry.’ Universal precautions are based on the concept that all blood, blood products and body fluids of all persons are potential sources of infection, independent of diagnosis or perceived risk (Biological hazards).When exposed to uncontrolled or substandard environment, “Patient, Persons present in the vicinity, or the personnel on duty, are highly susceptible to viral infectious organisms such as HIV or the hepatitis B virus. (ON LINE COURSE ON INFECTION CONTROL IN Dental Practice). Focused efforts, therefore, are required for preventive actions. Some of them are to ensure identification of ‘clean’ and dirty areas, use of appropriate PRP, ‘attire, Gloves, Goggles, Mask etc. “Wear gloves for direct contact with blood, mucous membranes or contaminated equipment or materials; Wear a mask and protective eyewear or a face shield when aerosols, droplets or spattering are likely, for example, when using a high speed drill (Biological hazards). In addition to the hygiene protocol, asceptic techniques are adapted to eliminate or minimize the risk of infection as (sterility must be maintained by using sterile materials and a controlled working environment. All containers and apparatus used should be sterilized work should be conducted only by an operator fully versed in the control of contamination) ( Remington P 774)Next, perhaps only to the ‘Operation Theaters’ and ‘Burn wards’ are the dental clinics or hospitals, keenly sought by pathogens, if they arefound off guard. It is on this account very important to ensure that the following are in place and conscientiously implemented: Aseptic Techniques Hygiene Protocols Caring attitudes Regarding the aseptic techniques, as a first step, gap analysis should be conducted, Biological hazards should be identified and required controls should be documented and implemented. Everyone who may bear upon the environment in respect of contamination should be taken in loop. Assuming; that everyone knows the job exactly, is detrimental to the appropriate execution of the aseptic tehniques. Not only by word of mouth but also through controlled documentation, like standard operation procedures, technical awareness to know the importance of Aseptic techniques should be created. A document is a written procedure, while a record, from Quality Management Systems point of view is the verification of the documented procedure, for example a schedule showing the frequency of aseptic cleaning is a document while a checklist that verifies, its conformance and implementation is a record. Verification and validation of the products and procedures play important role towards achieving effective controls. Validation is , “ “The act of verifying that a procedure is capable of producing the intended result under all expected circumstances (Gennaro).Preventive actions should include, but not restricted to surgery alone ,as other affiliated areas are equally important. “Infection control for dental radiography employs the same materials, processes, and techniques used in the operatory, yet unless proper procedures are established and followed, there is a definite potential for cross-contamination to clinical area surfaces (radiogram). http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/otherpub/national_report/default.htm Communication, throughout the organization should be simple and clear so that it is understood easily and correctly. Below is an example ,taken from a ppt. presentation on the topic; presentation on the topic Space and work flow? Clean, aseptic, or sterile echnique? Routine, aseptic or surgical hand hygiene? Instruments and supplies? Communicate in short and clear terms. Verbosity may confuse. “Freshly sterilized suction tips for each new patient”. Sterilizing processes include ,Dry or wet heat sterlising.Chemical (cold) sterilizing etc. (Laminar air- Flow equipment is essential for proper performance of sterility tests and aseptic filling or assembling operations. The Laminar air flow procedure for producing very clean and dust free area was developed in 1961.In a Laminar Air flow device the entire body of air within a confined area moves with uniform velocity along parallel flow lines).Remington) Aseptic processing is not actually a sterilizing process; it is rather maintaining the sterility of a product or process under controlled environment)(Remington) References Course on Infection Control In Dental Practice.” Aseptic Technique. Web. 14 May 2011. Read More