Infection Control Flashcards

Which CDC document is the primary infection control guideline for dental settings?

Answer: Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003

The CDC's 2003 guideline is the foundational reference for infection control specifically in dental health-care settings.

What is the recommended minimum contact time for an EPA-registered intermediate-level surface disinfectant?

Answer: As stated on the product label

Contact time must follow the manufacturer's label instructions, which the EPA has validated for that product.

Which type of waste is considered regulated medical waste in dentistry?

Answer: Blood-soaked gauze that drips when compressed

Items saturated with blood that can release it when compressed are classified as regulated medical waste.

What does the term 'critical instrument' refer to in the Spaulding classification?

Answer: An instrument that penetrates soft tissue or bone

Critical instruments penetrate soft tissue or bone and must be heat sterilized.

When should personal protective equipment be removed after a procedure?

Answer: Before leaving the patient treatment area

PPE must be removed before leaving the treatment area to prevent spreading contamination.

Which agent is most appropriate for surgical hand antisepsis before an oral surgery procedure?

Answer: An antimicrobial soap or alcohol-based surgical hand scrub

Surgical hand antisepsis requires an antimicrobial product or alcohol-based surgical scrub with persistent activity.

What is the purpose of a biological indicator (spore test) in a dental sterilizer?

Answer: To confirm the sterilizer kills highly resistant bacterial spores

Biological indicators use resistant spores to verify the sterilizer achieves true sterilization.