Preventing Infection in Dental Treatment

In. today's world AIDS, herpes, hepatitis and other communicable diseases are concerns for all of us. It is the duty of a dentist and his associates to take due care during dental treatment and in the dental clinic.

Some of the very basic procedures in a dental clinic that are used to check infection are as follows:

1. A dentist should scrub his hands before and after treating each patient.
2. Wearirg disposable sterilised gloves and changing them between each patient.
3. Wearing masks that prevent viruses and bacteria from entering or leaving the nose and mouth.
4. Wearing protective eyeglasses.
5. Using the latest proven sterilisation methods for instruments and towels used in the dental centre. These systems can be steam autoclaving, dry heat, glass bead steriliser, chemical vapour steriliser and chemical steriliser.
6. Meticulously cleaning and wiping of counter tops, chairs and other surfaces of the treatment room before each patient is treated.
7. Use of disposable products like drinking water glasses, needles, etc.
8. Careful handling of all disposable materials, which after use should be put into plastic bags before discarding, to minimise human contact.

Preventing Cross Infection

Cross infection can occur in three ways - dentist to patient, patient to dentist and from patient to patient.

Such cross infection can be prevented by sterilising the operating room and surgical instruments.

Prevention of cross infections at home

1. Wash your hands before every meal.
2. Wash your hands immediately after using the bathroom.
3. Wash your utensils clean.
4. Do not share the glass and tooth brush with anybody, not even your family members.
5. Cover your mouth while coughing, sneezing, etc.
6. When you are sick, stay home and rest.
7. Get your blood pressure, blood sugar, regularly checked, at least once in a year.
8. Use a tongue cleaner for cleaning your tongue. Use floss for interdental areas and brush twice daily.