Noting "heightened interest" in infection control procedures in dental settings following recent developments at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dayton, OH, the ADA reaffirmed the importance of implementing and maintaining good infection control practices.
The ADA has long recommended that all practicing dentists, dental auxiliaries, and dental laboratories employ standard infection control precautions as described in the 2003 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings guidelines, the association said.
Examples of infection control in the dental office include the use of masks, gloves, and surface disinfectants and sterilizing reusable dental devices, the ADA noted. In addition, dental healthcare providers are expected to follow procedures as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The ADA is urging its members to keep up to date, as scientific information leads to improvements in infection control, risk assessment, and disease management in oral healthcare.
