DAST-111 Infection Control for Dental Assistants

Credits 2 / 2 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Division signature is required for registration; Program Eligibility Requirements; Placement into College Level Reading, completion of ELAP-120 with a 2.0 or higher, or successful completion of ACRD-090, ACRD-091 or ACRD-092. Co-requisite: DAST-110, DAST-112, DAST-113, DAST-115, DAST-116 and DAST-117
A comprehensive study of the principles in establishing and following an infection control protocol for dental offices. Emphasis will be placed on occupational safety as it relates to dental health care workers.

Course Outcomes
1. Identify the key terms as they apply to microbiology and infection control 2. Describe the importance of infection control in the dental office 3. List the routes on infection, the components in the chain of infection and ways to prevent the spread of infection 4. Describe how microorganisms cause disease, the types of infections, the stages of infectious disease and the function of the immune system 5. List and describe commonly occurring bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV, AIDS and why they are of concern to the clinical dental assistant and the dental team 6. Describe the goals to reduce cross-contamination in the dental office through sound infection control techniques 7. Relate the 10 basic principle of infection control to protect the practice, patient and members of the dental team from cross contamination 8. Relate techniques to reduce pathogenic microorganisms including use of pre-procedural mouth rinses, disposables, dental dams, and high volume evacuation 9. Describe various governmental, national and professional agencies associated with informing, educating and protecting the general public and those affiliated with the practice of dentistry regarding infection control procedures 10. Describe the purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) and why it is necessary for dental employees 11. Related the role of the ADA in informing, education and dictating policies regarding the containment of infectious diseases 12. List organizations specific to dental assisting that may provide additional information on infection control, hazard communication and certification in infection control 13. Describe the role of the dental office safety supervisor 14. List the 3 minimum components of an office safety training program 15. Relate who is responsible for conducting office safety training and when it should be conducted 16. Describe ways to organize an office safety training program 17. Describe record-keeping requirements related to staff safety training 18. Describe the 12 essential tasks of office safety training 19. Explain the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and its importance as it relates to the dental office 20. Describe the Hazard Communication Standard 21. Explain how Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) are used in the dental office 22. Determine the vaccinations required for employment in the dental office. 23. Identify staff that are at risk for occupational exposure and determine categories for all personnel 24. Describe OSHA mandated Universal Precautions and examples of the required components 25. Describe the types of gloves used in dentistry 26. Describe the recommended guidelines for wearing and removing other forms of clinical attire including masks and eyewear 27. Describe the emergency use of an eyewash station 28. Describe the measures required for handling sharps 29. Explain protocol in the event of an accidental exposure 30. Describe and discern the difference between critical. semi-critical and non-critical items ·with relation to sterilization/disinfection techniques 31. Describe how to maintain a sterile field when handling dental instruments 32. List stages of processing contaminated instruments and how these instruments become resterilized 33. Define, describe and differentiate between the tem1s disinfection and sterilization 34. Describe the need for biological monitors 35. List common reasons for sterilizer failures 36. Describe reasons and rationale for environmental surface disinfectants in the dental office and the role of the dental assistant 37. List and compare chemical disinfectants used for environmental surface and equipment disinfection 38. List and define the classification of environmental surfaces 39. Describe the importance of front office barriers and their role in preventing cross contamination 40. Describe the importance of laboratory asepsis 41. Describe the components of a dental lab prescription or work order and the role of the dental assistant in maintaining a tracking system for lab cases 42. Describe waste management procedures that are necessary when working the dental office laboratory 43. Describe the importance of maintaining a hazard communication program and the necessary components 44. Describe physical, chemical and biological hazards in the dental office 45. List ways to reduce hazards in the dental office 46. Describe procedures used in handling hazardous material in the dental office 47. List and describe the components of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and the responsibilities of the dental team to implement them 48. Describe the necessary record-keeping required by the government with regard to staff training 49. Relate the changes reflected in OSHA’s New Compliance Directive 50. List the 7 key points to OSHA’s New Compliance Directive 51. Define the term biofilm and the types of contaminants biofilm most commonly comprises 52. Describe current ADA, CDC and OSAP recommendations on dental office waterline safety 53. List stages of waterline biofilm formation 54. Describe current safe water levels detern1ined by federal agencies and the ADA 55. Describe common health risks and preventative measures associated with working with nitrous oxide, oxygen. ethylene oxide, airborne particles and contaminants. latex allergies, white visible lights and lasers, and bonding materials & acrylics 56. Describe common health risk and preventative measures associated with working with hazardous noise levels and ergonomic concerns related to employment 57. List I 0 factors that the dental assistant can use to educate patients about HIV/AIDS 58. Describe how dental assistants can educate patients about infection control.