DANB CDA Infection Control Procedures — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the proper order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE) in a dental setting?
- Gown, mask, eyewear, gloves (Correct answer)
- Gloves, gown, mask, eyewear
- Mask, gloves, gown, eyewear
- Eyewear, gloves, mask, gown
Correct answer: Gown, mask, eyewear, gloves
The correct donning sequence is gown first, then mask, protective eyewear, and gloves last. This ensures gloves cover the gown cuffs and remain the outermost barrier.
Question 2: What level of disinfection is required for dental handpieces between patients?
- Sterilization by heat (autoclave) (Correct answer)
- High-level disinfection with chemical agents
- Intermediate-level disinfection with wipes
- Low-level surface disinfection
Correct answer: Sterilization by heat (autoclave)
Dental handpieces are classified as critical or semi-critical items that enter the patient's mouth and must be heat-sterilized (autoclaved) between patients per CDC guidelines.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a biological indicator (spore test) in sterilization monitoring?
- To verify that the sterilizer is effectively killing all microorganisms (Correct answer)
- To check the temperature of the autoclave
- To measure the water quality in the sterilizer
- To test the packaging materials for integrity
Correct answer: To verify that the sterilizer is effectively killing all microorganisms
Biological indicators contain highly resistant bacterial spores (typically Geobacillus stearothermophilus) that serve as the gold standard for verifying sterilization effectiveness.
Question 4: How often should biological monitoring of sterilizers be performed according to CDC guidelines?
- At least weekly (Correct answer)
- Daily
- Monthly
- Every six months
Correct answer: At least weekly
The CDC recommends biological monitoring (spore testing) of sterilizers at least weekly, with additional testing after equipment repairs, installation, or when processing implantable devices.
Question 5: What is the minimum contact time for most EPA-registered surface disinfectants used in dentistry?
- The time specified on the product label (typically 1-10 minutes) (Correct answer)
- 30 seconds
- 30 minutes
- 24 hours
Correct answer: The time specified on the product label (typically 1-10 minutes)
The required contact time varies by product but must follow the manufacturer's label instructions, which typically specify 1-10 minutes of wet contact time for effective disinfection.
Question 6: What classification of instrument is a mouth mirror?
- Semi-critical (contacts mucous membranes but does not penetrate tissue) (Correct answer)
- Critical (penetrates soft tissue or bone)
- Non-critical (contacts intact skin only)
- Environmental surface
Correct answer: Semi-critical (contacts mucous membranes but does not penetrate tissue)
A mouth mirror is classified as semi-critical because it contacts mucous membranes but does not penetrate soft tissue or bone. Semi-critical items require sterilization or high-level disinfection.
DANB CDA Infection Control Procedures
What is the proper order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE) in a dental setting?