Osha & Dental Infection

OSHA Infection Control in Dentistry

Why are OSHA guidelines for infection control in dentistry important?

  • Both patients and dental healthcare personnel (DHCP) can be exposed to pathogens.
  • Contact with blood, oral, and respiratory secretions and contaminated equipment occur from poor OSHA infection control in dentistry.
  • Proper OSHA dentistry procedures and enforcement of OSHA sterilization requirements in dental offices can prevent transmission of infections among patients and DHCP. Source: Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings-2003, MWWR 2003, Vol 52-No RR 17.

A Journal of Infectious Diseases article describes below a patient-to-patient transmission of HBV in a dental setting.

The event occurred in 2001 when a person with acute hepatitis B was reported to a state health department. The state health department's epidemiologic investigation found that the patient had none of the traditional hepatitis B risk factors, but reported having recent oral surgery. An investigation of the oral surgery practice where the patient received dental treatment revealed that another surgical patient seen earlier on that same day was on the state's reportable disease registry for HBV. Molecular epidemiologic techniques indicated transmission of HBV between the two patients.

When investigators later visited the office and monitored its operation, they found that the office followed standard infection control practices and that all staff had been previously vaccinated and were negative for HBV. The investigators could only speculate that a lapse in cleanup procedures after the source patient and failure to meet proper dental OSHA sterilization requirements had occurred, leaving an area contaminated with blood.

For effective infection control in dental healthcare settings, offices must follow OSHA guidelines for infection control in dentistry and incorporate good OSHA practices such as:

  • Preventing transmission of bloodborne pathogens;
  • Use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
  • Address issues regarding latex/hypersensitivity/contact dermatitis
  • Implement effective sterilization and disinfection of patient-care items following dental OSHA sterilization requirements;
  • Practice good hand hygiene;
  • Implement environmental infection control-housekeeping and clinical contact surface disinfection;
  • Use of efficient dental unit waterlines;
  • Disposal of Sharps; and
  • Storage and disposal of biohazardous waste within your OSHA dentistry.

Proper implementation of OSHA infection control in dentistry, such as following dental OSHA sterilization requirements, keeps workers and patients safe. With infections being a high risk at dental offices, enforcing OSHA guidelines for infection control in dentistry is important for ensuring the health and safety of all parties involved.

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