Infection control protocol is important to the success and safety of every dental clinic. Typically it is made up of three primary components. These are practicing good hand hygiene, for example by adequate washing; practicing thorough sterilization or disinfection, for example through the use of the autoclave machine; and through the use of personal protective equipment. This last category will be the main focus of this article.
Personal protective equipment is defined as any clothing or gear used to protect wearers from hazards. In the context of a dental office or hospital these hazards are primarily contaminants passed through the splatter of fluids. HIV or Hepatitis, for instance, may be passed on if saliva or blood makes its way into a dentist's blood stream. Typical items included in the arsenals of medical professionals include dental gloves, shoe covers, gowns, bonnets, CPR masks, surgical masks and face masks. Though every item is clearly not worn for every procedure, staff must decide what risks they are potentially being exposed to and dress accordingly.
Personal Protective Equipment
Dental Gloves - Dental gloves are extremely important to the safety of both dentists and patients alike as much of a dentist's job involves using his or her hands to probe around a patient's mouth. This is particularly precarious as the mouth and saliva are breeding grounds for the reproduction and spread of bacteria. What dentist's must know when purchasing dental gloves is that they are offered not only in different sizes, but also in different materials. Each material has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Nitrile, for example, is the most durable option, however, it also the most expensive. Vinyl on the other hand is the cheapest, however, the least durable. Other materials include latex and synthetic.
CPR Masks - Though most people would do everything in their power to save a fellow human's life, there is often times certain squeamishness involved with performing CPR. This is possibly because of infection that a rescuers faces. A CPR masks helps reduce the risk of contracting diseases by providing a barrier between the two mouths.
Face and Surgical Masks - As blood and other bodily fluids get splashed up by dentist's equipment everyone in the room is at risk of inhaling particles. Surgical masks, act as a barrier that protects a surgeons mouth and nose from such splatter. The important thing to know when shopping for masks is that each model has a different BFE. BFE stands for bacterial filtration efficiency. Essentially it correlates with what size particles a mask can filter out. Once again by anticipating what types of particles and bacteria might be encountered in a procedure, a dentist may choose the most appropriate mask possible.
Eye Protection - Naturally, the eye is a very sensitive part of the body. Not only is it extremely sensitive to contact with bacteria, but it is also extremely vulnerable to injury from debris. For these two reasons wearing eye protection equipment, such as goggles, is an integral part to any dentist's wardrobe. An Introduction to Dental Gloves and Personal Protective Equipment
Infection control protocol is important to the success and safety of every dental clinic. Typically it is made up of three primary components. These are practicing good hand hygiene, for example by adequate washing; practicing thorough sterilization or disinfection, for example through the use of the autoclave machine; and through the use of personal protective equipment. This last category will be the main focus of this article.
Personal protective equipment is defined as any clothing or gear used to protect wearers from hazards. In the context of a dental office or hospital these hazards are primarily contaminants passed through the splatter of fluids. HIV or Hepatitis, for instance, may be passed on if saliva or blood makes its way into a dentist's blood stream. Typical items included in the arsenals of medical professionals include dental gloves, shoe covers, gowns, bonnets, CPR masks, surgical masks and face masks. Though every item is clearly not worn for every procedure, staff must decide what risks they are potentially being exposed to and dress accordingly.
Personal Protective Equipment
Dental Gloves - Dental gloves are extremely important to the safety of both dentists and patients alike as much of a dentist's job involves using his or her hands to probe around a patient's mouth. This is particularly precarious as the mouth and saliva are breeding grounds for the reproduction and spread of bacteria. What dentist's must know when purchasing dental gloves is that they are offered not only in different sizes, but also in different materials. Each material has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Nitrile, for example, is the most durable option, however, it also the most expensive. Vinyl on the other hand is the cheapest, however, the least durable. Other materials include latex and synthetic.
CPR Masks - Though most people would do everything in their power to save a fellow human's life, there is often times certain squeamishness involved with performing CPR. This is possibly because of infection that a rescuers faces. A CPR masks helps reduce the risk of contracting diseases by providing a barrier between the two mouths.
Face and Surgical Masks - As blood and other bodily fluids get splashed up by dentist's equipment everyone in the room is at risk of inhaling particles. Surgical masks, act as a barrier that protects a surgeons mouth and nose from such splatter. The important thing to know when shopping for masks is that each model has a different BFE. BFE stands for bacterial filtration efficiency. Essentially it correlates with what size particles a mask can filter out. Once again by anticipating what types of particles and bacteria might be encountered in a procedure, a dentist may choose the most appropriate mask possible.
Eye Protection - Naturally, the eye is a very sensitive part of the body. Not only is it extremely sensitive to contact with bacteria, but it is also extremely vulnerable to injury from debris. For these two reasons wearing eye protection equipment, such as goggles, is an integral part to any dentist's wardrobe.
