CDC Infection Control & Prevention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the CDC's 2003 Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, saliva is considered a potentially infectious material for which reason?
- It always contains active viral particles
- It is visibly contaminated with blood during dental procedures
- It is presumed to contain blood even when not visibly bloody (Correct answer)
- It transmits prion diseases exclusively
Correct answer: It is presumed to contain blood even when not visibly bloody
CDC guidelines treat dental saliva as potentially infectious because oral procedures routinely introduce blood into saliva even when it is not visibly apparent.
Question 2: Which hand hygiene product is MOST effective for reducing bacterial counts on hands after patient care in dentistry?
- Plain soap and water
- Alcohol-based hand rub (≥60% alcohol) (Correct answer)
- Antibacterial soap with triclosan
- Chlorhexidine scrub for all routine procedures
Correct answer: Alcohol-based hand rub (≥60% alcohol)
Alcohol-based hand rubs with ≥60% alcohol are more effective and faster-acting than plain or antibacterial soap for routine hand antisepsis.
Question 3: In dental waterline management, the CDC recommends flushing dental unit water lines for at least how long at the start of each day?
- 30 seconds
- 1 minute (Correct answer)
- 2 minutes
- 5 minutes
Correct answer: 1 minute
CDC recommends flushing dental unit waterlines for at least 1–2 minutes at the beginning of each clinic day to purge overnight biofilm accumulation.
Question 4: Which of the following is considered a critical dental instrument requiring sterilization between patient uses?
- Amalgam condenser
- Radiograph film positioning device
- Mouth mirror
- All of the above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above
All listed items penetrate soft tissue or contact bone/blood and are therefore classified as critical instruments requiring sterilization.
Question 5: What is the purpose of using a pre-procedural antimicrobial mouth rinse before dental treatment?
- To eliminate all oral pathogens permanently
- To reduce the microbial load in aerosols and spatter generated during treatment (Correct answer)
- To replace the need for dental dam use
- To sterilize the oral cavity before extractions
Correct answer: To reduce the microbial load in aerosols and spatter generated during treatment
Pre-procedural mouth rinses reduce the number of microorganisms in aerosols and spatter produced during dental procedures, lowering infection risk.
Question 6: According to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, which document must be completed within 24 hours of an occupational exposure incident?
- OSHA 300 Log entry
- Confidential post-exposure medical evaluation (Correct answer)
- State health department report
- Workers' compensation claim
Correct answer: Confidential post-exposure medical evaluation
OSHA requires that the employer provide a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up to be initiated promptly (as soon as feasible) after an exposure incident.
Question 7: When using chemical liquid sterilants (cold sterilization) for heat-sensitive dental instruments, which condition is CRITICAL for achieving sterilization?
- Submersion for the full contact time specified on the label (Correct answer)
- Use of a diluted solution to protect instrument integrity
- Room temperature of at least 68°F
- Rinsing instruments with tap water immediately after immersion
Correct answer: Submersion for the full contact time specified on the label
Full immersion for the complete contact time specified by the EPA-registered product label is essential to achieve sterilization with liquid chemical sterilants.
CDC Infection Control & Prevention 3
Under the CDC's 2003 Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, saliva is considered a potentially infectious material for which reason?