What precautions should I take when employed in the dental field?

Consider blood, saliva and gingival fluid from all dental patients as infective. Refer to "Universal Precautions" for preventing transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases.

• Use rubber dams in restorative dentistry whenever possible
• Report immediately a needlestick or sharp injury to a designated person because if post-exposure chemoprophylaxis is to be implemented, it should begin preferably within 1 to 2 hours after exposure.

What personal protection should I use?

Wear gloves:

• if you have open or healing wounds, or skin infections
• when in contact with saliva, mucous membranes or blood
• when in contact with blood-soiled items, body fluids or surfaces contaminated by them
• when examining all oral lesions

Replace torn or punctured gloves immediately.

Use new gloves for every patient.

Wear gowns:

• when blood or body fluids are likely to soil clothing

Change gowns daily or when visibly soiled with blood or body fluids.

Wear masks, face/eye protection or chin-length plastic face shields:

• to protect oral and nasal mucosa from the splatter of blood, saliva or gingival fluid

Wash hands:

• between patients
• after completing procedure and before leaving work area
• with germicidal soap before and immediately after removing gloves

When should I decontaminate and sterilize instruments and equipment?

• Use disposable materials. Dispose in plastic bags. Place needles and sharp instruments in puncture-resistant containers before disposal. Check with local municipality for disposal of contaminated waste.
• Routinely sterilize instruments used in all dental procedures. Store in sterile packs or pouches.
• Sterilize after each use other dental instruments that come in contact with oral tissues such as amalgam condensers, plastic instruments of handpieces and burs. High-level disinfect if this is not possible.
• Cover with impervious-backed paper, tin foil or clear plastic wrap equipment and surfaces that may become contaminated and are not easy to clean. Remove and replace for each patient.
• Thoroughly clean blood and saliva from supplies used in mouth (impression material, bite registration). Clean and disinfect.

How should I decontaminate of environmental surfaces?

• Use absorbent paper towelling to remove blood or saliva.
• Clean surface and rinse. Wipe surface with a suitable chemical germicide or a 1:100-1:10 dilution of household bleach in water. Prepare solution fresh daily.

Document last updated on June 12, 2000