• Introduction: Why do we need infection control in dentistry?.

• Relative risk and risk perception.

• Risk assessment and management decision making process.

• How to perform a risk assessment.

• Hierarchy of risk management control.

• Infection control and the law.

• Legal Acts under which dental practice is conducted.

• Published standards and guidance.

• Team approach to prevention of infection.

• References and websites.

Chapter 2: Communicable diseases in the dental surgery.

• How infections are spread.

• Reservoirs and Sources of infection.

• Routes and transmission of infection.

• Infectious diseases by route of infection in the dental surgery.

• Direct and indirect contact spread of infection: HSV, MRSA.

• Prevention of spread of infection by direct and indirect contact.

• Parenteral transmission of infection via the blood stream: HBV, HCV, HIV.

• Preventing BBV infection in the occupational setting.

• Spread of infection by airborne and respiratory secretions: Tuberculosis, Influenza,.

• Emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

• Why do infections emerge/re-emerge?.

• The impact of emerging infection on dentistry.

• Pandemic flu and avian flu.

• SARS-CoV.

• vCJD.

• West Nile Virus.

• References and websites.

Chapter 3: Occupational Health and immunisation.

• Introduction: Building a culture of safety .

• Organising staff health in your practice.

• Immunisation requirements for dentistry.

• Protecting woman of child bearing age.

• Who should be immunized against Hepatitis B?.

• Health clearance and the consequences of blood borne virus infection.

• Health Clearance for registration with the General Dental Council.

• References and websites.

Chapter 4: Sharp safe working in the dental surgery
• Introduction: Why sharps prevention is important
• When do sharps injuries occur
• Preventable sharps injuries
• How to avoid having a sharps injury.

• Safe handling of sharps and needles
• Use of safety devices
• How to avoid sharps injuries – sharp safe disposal
• Managing sharps injuries
• Occupational health risk assessment for BBV exposure
• Management of Hepatitis C exposures
• Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
• Recording of sharps injuries.

• Clinical governance and accident risk assessment.

• References and websites.

Chapter 5: Hand hygiene.

• Introduction: Hands as a source of infection
• Microbial colonisation of the hands.

• Hands as a source of hospital acquired infection.

• When to Clean Your Hand
• Hand hygiene Technique.

• Hand Care and prevention of irritant dermatitis.

• References and websites.

Chapter 6: Personal protection for prevention of cross infection
• Background.

• The role of gloves.

• Choosing a suitable glove for the task
• Managing an allergy to NRL gloves
• Masks, Visors and goggles and the protection of mucous membranes and the airway
• Types of masks and when to use them
• Protection during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

• Protective eyewear and visors
• Tunic/uniforms
• Protective barriers- Plastic aprons and surgical gowns
• References and websites.

Chapter 7: Sterilization and disinfection of dental instruments .

• Decontamination cycle.

• Why has cleaning become so important?.

• Legal requirements and technical standards for decontamination.

• Where should sterilization take place?.

• Design of Dedicated decontamination units.

• Purchasing of dental equipment.

• Pre-sterilization cleaning of dental instruments.

• Dental instrument sterilization.

• Types of water and Steam purity.

• How do you know your sterilizer is working?.

• Loading the sterilizer.

• How to operate the sterilizer.

• Storage of wrapped and unwrapped instruments .

• Instrument traceability.

• Single Use Items
• Disinfection of heat sensitive equipment
• Disinfection of dental impressions.

• References and websites.

Chapter 8: Dental surgery design, disinfection and managing aerosols.

• Dental surgery design .

• Surface Cleaning and Decontamination: General cleaning, Surface cleaning.

• Zoning work areas.

• Managing Aspirators, Suction apparatus and Spittoons.

• Managing Aerosols and Splatter.

• Managing Large Blood or Body Fluids Spillages.

• -Splashes and spots.

• -Small spills.

• -Large spills .

• References and websites

Chapter 9: Dental unit waterlines
• What are biofilms?.

• Risk to staff and patient health from dental unit water lines.

• -Legionellae.

• -Pseudomonas.

• -Mycobacterium.

• -Endotoxin.

• Methods to reduce biofilms.

• Control of Legionella in dental unit water lines.

Chapter 10: Healthcare Waste management.

• Legislation on hazardous waste disposal.

• Types of waste.

• What is hazardous waste? .

• Hazardous Waste Regulations and the European Waste Code.

• Amalgam waste and installation of amalgam separators.

• Segregation and disposal of clinical waste.

• Safe handling and storage of clinical and hazardous waste prior to disposal.

• Transport of clinical waste .

• Completing Consignment Notes for hazardous waste and keeping records .

• References and websites.

Chapter 11: Transport and postage of diagnostic specimens, impressions and equipment for servicing and repair.

• Legal framework.

• Collecting specimens.

• Transport of specimens to the laboratory.

• Sending non-fixed diagnostic specimens by Post .

• Transport restrictions.

• Fixed pathological specimens.

• Transporting Impressions.

• Equipment to be sent for service or repair.

• References and websites.

Chapter 12: Resources .

• Table 12.1 Daily infection control clinical pathway.

• Table12. 2 Decontamination methods for specific instruments and items of dental equipment.

• Table 12.3: Hand and hard surface disinfectants and dental unit waterline biocides.

• Further sources of information