DH 107 Dental Infection Control and Safety

Introduction to the chain of infection, infectious and plaque associated diseases affecting the dental office environment and protection of the health care worker. Topics include bloodborne pathogens, federal regulations, dental office clinical asepsis protocol, LCC Exposure Control Program, management of waste, office safety programs, chemical and emergency plans. Competency in Infection Control protocols are evaluated during laboratory sessions.

Credits

1

Prerequisite

Admission to the Dental Hygiene program

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify and recognize clinical significance of communicable diseases, modes of transmission, types, microbiology, epidemiology and vaccines
2. Identify bloodborne pathogens and chemical hazards presenting a danger in the dental environment
3. Select and use principles, procedures, and personal behaviors designed to achieve prevention of transmissible disease
4. Demonstrate use of exposure control protocols to achieve infection control in the oral health care environment
5. Identify products and procedures used in instrument reprocessing and list the steps taken to perform sterilization protocols and biological testing of sterilizers
6. Recognize and differentiate the epidemiology, symptoms and modes of transmission for hepatitis diseases, HIV+, AIDS, Tuberculosis and common diseases encountered in the dental environment
7. Apply standard operating procedures from the LCC Exposure Control Plan to simulated clinical and laboratory activities
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations to the practice of dentistry and HIPPA Privacy Standards and Guidelines
9. Establish and maintain an environment:
a. that protects against environmental hazards
b. uses standardized clinical protocols and c. protects against transmission of disease
10. Apply concepts and protocols: maintain a clean and sterile dental environment; apply infection control procedures and use OSHA regulations; use the LCC Exposure Control Manual of universal safety practices in clinical care and facility management