Dental Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which CDC document is the primary infection control guideline for dental settings?
- Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003 (Correct answer)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 1991
- Hand Hygiene in Healthcare, 2002
- Universal Precautions Manual, 1987
Correct 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.
Question 2: What is the recommended minimum contact time for an EPA-registered intermediate-level surface disinfectant?
- As stated on the product label (Correct answer)
- 5 seconds
- Always exactly 30 minutes
- 1 hour
Correct answer: As stated on the product label
Contact time must follow the manufacturer's label instructions, which the EPA has validated for that product.
Question 3: Which type of waste is considered regulated medical waste in dentistry?
- Blood-soaked gauze that drips when compressed (Correct answer)
- Used paper patient bibs
- Empty anesthetic carpules
- Disposable saliva ejectors
Correct answer: Blood-soaked gauze that drips when compressed
Items saturated with blood that can release it when compressed are classified as regulated medical waste.
Question 4: What does the term 'critical instrument' refer to in the Spaulding classification?
- An instrument that penetrates soft tissue or bone (Correct answer)
- An instrument that touches intact skin only
- An instrument that contacts mucous membranes only
- An instrument used outside the mouth
Correct answer: An instrument that penetrates soft tissue or bone
Critical instruments penetrate soft tissue or bone and must be heat sterilized.
Question 5: When should personal protective equipment be removed after a procedure?
- Before leaving the patient treatment area (Correct answer)
- After walking to the staff lounge
- Only at the end of the workday
- After the next patient is seated
Correct answer: Before leaving the patient treatment area
PPE must be removed before leaving the treatment area to prevent spreading contamination.
Question 6: Which agent is most appropriate for surgical hand antisepsis before an oral surgery procedure?
- An antimicrobial soap or alcohol-based surgical hand scrub (Correct answer)
- Plain water only
- Plain non-antimicrobial soap
- An EPA surface disinfectant
Correct 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.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a biological indicator (spore test) in a dental sterilizer?
- To confirm the sterilizer kills highly resistant bacterial spores (Correct answer)
- To measure the water hardness
- To check the room temperature
- To time the instrument cleaning cycle
Correct answer: To confirm the sterilizer kills highly resistant bacterial spores
Biological indicators use resistant spores to verify the sterilizer achieves true sterilization.
Dental Infection Control 2
Which CDC document is the primary infection control guideline for dental settings?