INFECTION CONTROL

Infection Control in Dentistry

Infection Control in Dentistry

Introduction

Infection can be defined as the invasion, growth, and toxin production of microorganisms in the body is known as infection. There are a number of research based articles that have focused on the infection control approaches in the clinical settings. It has been described that uncontrolled infection can lead the patient towards serious complications. Infection control is considered as the most important procedure in the dentistry department. It has been described by numerous studies that infection is a serious threat for the patients in dental practice. Therefore, dentistry department always focus on the infection control practices for improved health care.

A guarantee is always given by administration of dentistry department that the patients will not be harmed by the approaches taken by the system. However, it is also a fact that the extent of infection is continuously increasing within dental practices. A report was published recently that have affected the lives of 7 thousand dental patients in Oklahoma, USA. The report described that 60 people in the dentistry department have shown positive test results for hepatitis and HIV. The report also described that the increased cases of hepatitis and HIV were the result of poor sterilization practices (Lok & McMahon, 2009, pp. 661-662). This incidence is considered as a part of numerous harmful events happened in the dental departments of Okalhoma, United States of America. Moreover, there are various events of iatrogenic impairments within dental practice (Scottish Executive Health Department, 2001, pp. 1-35).

Adverse Effects

There are numerous research based articles, which have described that the risk of adverse events is always present while receiving health care in the dentistry practices. Diagnosis process, treatment with the help of faulty equipments, inadequate infection control, poor communications within practice, and waste management are certain areas for increased risk of adverse events. It is also a fact that improvement of patient safety and reduced adverse events can be achieved with the help of preventive actions and sterile conditions. It is the responsibility of dental professionals to provide safe dental care that is extremely necessary for good general health (Council of European Dentists, 2008, pp. 1-4).

Cross Infection

Cross infection is considered as a very serious issue, which can affect the safety of patients in the dentistry practices. It has been evaluated that human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus are the most common infectious agents for poor health status of the patients. The increased profile of these infectious diseases has resulted in the studies of infection control procedures within dental departments (Kohn, Harte, Malvitz, Collins, Cleveland & Eklund, 2004, pp. 33-47). Usage of gloves, autoclaving of hand pieces, and usage of masks are certain infection control measures in the dental department. Moreover, dental administration should use additional recommendations with the help of scientific evidence to reduce the extent of infection (Collins, Cleveland, Harte, Eklund & Malvitz, 2003, pp.nd ). It is the responsibility of dentists to take effective precautions for the protection of patients and health care staff from ...