Oral Health and Dental Management

Methods of Infection Control in the field of Dentistry

Mario Amato^* Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
^*Correspondence: Mario Amato, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy, Email:

Received: 19-Aug-2022, Manuscript No. OHDM-22-18219; Editor assigned: 22-Aug-2022, Pre QC No. OHDM-22-18219; Reviewed: 05-Sep-2022, QC No. OHDM-22-18219; Revised: 12-Sep-2022, Manuscript No. OHDM-22-18219; Published: 19-Sep-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2247-2452.22.21.1020

Description

Environmental surface contamination is now commonly acknowledged to be a significant factor in the spread of illnesses linked to healthcare. When a surgical high-speed evacuator are not used, aerosols produced by high-speed hand pieces, ultrasonic scalars, air polishing, air-water syringe sprays, contaminated water, patient saliva and blood, and respiratory secretions from MRSA carriers may contaminate the air, leading to CCSs and item contamination. There are varieties of Staphylococcus and Enterococcus in the water mostly amenable to general infection control practises employed in healthcare systems, such as immunisation, Hand Hygiene (HH), the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disinfection and sterilisation, and the use of surface barriers. Dental care procedures do not come without risk [1].

A white coat, a dental tool, and a dental unit are all vulnerable to blood, saliva, and aerosol spray as well as trauma and instrument contamination. As a result, public worry about infection and cross-infection in dental clinics has increased [2]. To reduce the danger, healthcare professionals must be aware of how infectious diseases are spread. Therefore, the dental office should implement the necessary safety measures to avoid the spread of infections from patient to patient or from patient to dental staff. The best time to stress the significance of cross-infectious disease and infection control measures is now, when the spectre of Corona Virus sickness still haunts the world [3].

The goal is to prevent infections brought on by patient exposure to harmful microbes or spread by occupational exposure to dental or laboratory workers. Personal hygiene for the dentist is an important must. Patient’s confidence and acceptance of dental treatment are closely correlated to the clinician’s image as they become more conscious of the potential risk to themselves posed by materials and instruments that have not been sanitised or disinfected. Hair is cleaned away from the face, according to specific guidelines on cleanliness. A surgical cap is worn during procedures or the hair of the clinician is secured at the back of the head if it could potentially come into contact with the patient or dental equipment. There is a face mask or shield covering the facial hair [4].

During patient therapy, jewellery is taken from the hands, arms, or facial region. Keep fingernails clean and short to avoid debris build up and glove perforation. There is no nail polish on display. Before and after treatment, thorough hand- and forearm washing is required. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable because they frequently need implant surgery and endodontic care and are frequently on antibiotics which favour antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Resources for infection prevention and control are readily available in developed nations, but not in underdeveloped nations [5].

Conclusion

Studies conducted in underdeveloped nations also point to substantial knowledge gaps and a lack of training in infection prevention and control in dental facilities. Before receiving treatment, all patients rinse with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate. Patients put on safety glasses. Before donning gloves, hands are cleaned with an antibacterial cleanser. Once gloved, only the patient’s and the barrier-covered or thoroughly cleaned and sanitised regions are touched. No infected gloves are used on the patient chart. If an entry needs to be made on the chart, the gloves must be taken off, or a clean glove must be put over the contaminated one before the chart is finished. A suitable barrier must be placed over the area of the record that is to be touched and on the pen. The doctor must take off their gloves and outer barrier clothing before leaving the operating room. Large, non-sterilizable equipment utilised in the operatory, such as articulators, face bows, silicone spray bottles, water baths, tooth shades, and mould guides, are cleaned with the proper disinfection solution by wiping, spraying, or submerging.

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