Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2017 - 65

Staff Report

Infection Control

Andrea L. Cook
Orthodontic Clinical Consultant

Orthodontists find managing various aspects of
their practice more challenging than treating
patients. Most of my clients tell me, "If I could
just stick to moving teeth, I would be so happy."
Managing the practice is one of the areas they
find most challenging and frustrating; management of sterilization, OSHA, and instrument
reprocessing are some of the least favorite areas
of the orthodontic office.

The resource includes tools to help our team
members follow infection prevention guidelines.
These include:

"Sterilization is a complex process requiring
specialized equipment, adequate space, qualified
dental health care professionals who are provided
with ongoing training, and regular monitoring
for quality assurance."
-Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), 2003

The following is a list of recommendations
published by the CDC since 2003 that all offices
must incorporate into their practices:

The current recommendations for infection control and instrument reprocessing are published in
the CDC's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. Although many
offices struggle to grasp the current guidelines,
understanding them is the first step in developing and implementing systems and protocols
that will help you and your team gain compliance.
In March 2016, the CDC released an update to the
Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental HealthCare Settings, 2003. The additional recommendations are mostly administrative, rather than
clinical changes to the infection control and sterilization protocols. The new document can be
viewed online. This document summarizes existing recommendations, making them much easier
to comprehend and use in all dental settings,
including our orthodontic practices. The Summary focuses on standard precautions and foundations for preventing transmission of infectious
agents during patient care and is intended to
supplement the existing CDC recommendations,
not to replace them.

Winter 2017  PCSO Bulletin

 a summary of basic infection prevention
principles and recommendations for dental
settings and
 a checklist to evaluate dental staff compliance
with administrative and clinical practice infection prevention recommendations

Administrative Measures

 Develop and maintain written infection prevention policies and procedures appropriate
for the services provided by the facility and
based upon evidence-based guidelines, regulations, or standards.
 Reassess infection prevention policies and
procedures at least annually, or according to
state or federal requirements.
 Assign at least one individual trained in infection prevention to coordinate the program.
 Provide supplies necessary for adherence to
Standard Precautions, including hand hygiene
products, safer devices to reduce injuries, and
personal protective equipment.
 Employ a system for early detection and management of potentially infectious persons at
initial points of patient encounter.
Respiratory Hygiene / Cough Etiquette
Infection Prevention Education and Training

 Maintain training records according to state
and federal requirements.
Sterilization and Disinfection of Patient-Care
Items and Devices

 Make readily available manufacturer instructions for reprocessing reusable dental
instruments / equipment, ideally in or near the
reprocessing area.

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/guidelines

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2017