DANB Dental Unit & Environmental Infection Control Flashcards
6 cards from real DANB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 DANB Dental Unit & Environmental Infection Control flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of flushing dental unit waterlines at the beginning of each clinical day?
Answer: To reduce microbial contamination that accumulates overnight in stagnant water
Flushing dental unit waterlines at the start of each day reduces the microbial load that accumulates in stagnant water overnight, lowering patient and staff exposure risk.
Biofilm in dental unit waterlines is primarily composed of:
Answer: Naturally occurring environmental waterborne bacteria
Dental unit waterline biofilm is primarily composed of naturally occurring environmental waterborne bacteria (such as Pseudomonas and Legionella) that colonize tubing walls.
What water quality standard does the CDC recommend for water used in dental handpieces and air/water syringes during non-surgical procedures?
Answer: Potable water quality (≤500 CFU/mL heterotrophic bacteria)
The CDC recommends that water used in dental procedures meet potable water standards of ≤500 CFU/mL of heterotrophic bacteria for non-surgical procedures.
Which type of water should be used during surgical procedures that involve cutting through bone or soft tissue?
Answer: Sterile saline or sterile water delivered through a sterile irrigation system
Surgical procedures require sterile saline or sterile water delivered through a sterile system to prevent infection at the surgical site from waterborne contaminants.
How should the dental chair and light handle be managed between patients for infection control?
Answer: Use surface barriers changed between patients, or clean and disinfect with EPA-registered product
Dental chairs, light handles, and other clinical contact surfaces should be covered with surface barriers changed between patients, or cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant.
What is the infection control concern with dental unit air compressors?
Answer: Contaminated air from the compressor can be delivered to the patient through air-water syringes
Dental air compressors can harbor microbial contamination, and if the compressor intake draws in room air containing pathogens, it can potentially deliver contaminated air through handpieces and air-water syringes.