Health Care Practices Of Dental Clinics

Dental hygienists examine for signs of abnormalities oral diseases, for example decay or gingivitis, then they will provide treatment if necessary. They play an important role in evaluate patients’ oral health and interpret findings for the dentists. Also, Dental Hygienists educate patients how to keep their oral healthy. It is obvious that Dental Hygienists have to work by hands all the time; therefore, they are required to keep their hand totally clean and get them sterilized before and after each patients. They have to wear protection tools including safety glasses, masks, and gloves to prevent infection for themselves and patients (Bureau of Labor

There are four ways through which infectious diseases in dental clinics may be transmitted from patients to dental professionals (Szymanska, 2005). Infectious diseases might be contracted directly from the patients to dentists, hygienists or dental assistants through blood-borne bacteria and saliva. The contamination might happen from a needle stick, other accidental injuries of sharp instruments, or through an aerosol of blood, saliva or gingival secretions. Also, they might be contracted indirectly through transfer of microorganisms from a contaminated object in the clinic (Bednarsh & Molinri, 2010). Also, the contamination might occur as a result of spatter of blood, saliva, or nasopharyngeal secretions directly onto broken or intact skin. The fourth way is through aerosolization which means the transmission of infectious microorganisms in the air of the dental clinic (Rautemaa et al., 2006).

There are two important things to do in a dental office in order to prevent cross infection. These two forms are sterilization and disinfection. According to the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration before either of these forms can be used you have to clean the instruments. This can be done either by hand or by using an ultrasonic cleaner.

While most of the patients I interacted with were seeking non-dental care, I met patients who were seeking care to health conditions that stem from their oral health such as oral abscesses, which our team was unable to treat except for prescribing antibiotics or painkillers. I encountered similar situations when I shadowed physicians in the emergency room of hospitals, observing a variety of craniofacial disorders originating from a preventable tooth decay. From these observations, I learned that patients often did not receive treatment that addressed the root of their problems: their oral health. As the result, I learned that many physicians saw the same patient repeatedly for problems that would otherwise be easily prevented through proper preventive dental care. Determining to address the unmet needs for accessible preventive dental care, I decided to pursue a career in dentistry so that I can provide a positive and meaningful impact to the underserved community on their oral health and ultimately their overall

The patient was keen to get her oral hygiene up to a good standard and prevent any

Dental assistant need to follow the universal precaution that OSHA has lay for them to protect themselves from getting physically hurt and avoid getting ill from infected patients in the job. The three main modes of transition when working in a dental office are by open wounds, eyes or mouth exposure and accidentally getting poke by a use needle. Knowing how bacteria and viruses survived gives dental assistant the advantage of fighting them off. Bacteria are all around us; even inside of us, helping the human body work properly. Some bacteria make individuals ill, but good bacteria fight out harmful bacteria making the human body feel better. The more good bacteria the human body has the less room it leaves for harmful bacteria. Not like bacteria

Oral health is an important part of an overall health. Oral diseases ranging from cavities to cancer are all serious threats to an oral health. Research shows that there may be a link between oral disease and other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke as well as pre-term and low-birth-weight babies. If left untreated, it can cause more complications to the oral health. Periodontal disease, root caries and infections and other oral cancer can lead to severe pain, loss of teeth and serious health conditions. As a health care provider, it is significant to realizing the connection between oral diseases and systemic diseases so that we all can deliver our services to prevent and help treat disease while it is still manageable. Expanding the role of dental hygienists might reduce the most serious consequences of limited access to dentists, and dental hygienists are potentially well suited to play an important role in expanding affordable access (1). Collaborative practice of dental hygiene

Transmission: air Bourne droplets or by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person

RE: Infection Control 7/26/2015 4:43:55 PM I agree, Ashley. There has been a lot of studies done in doctor offices and hospitals of what diseases are lurking around. There was even a study done where they cultured what was under the staffs finger

In a dental office, the dentist and his assistant may be in contact with potentially infectious agents during treatment of a patient or disinfecting the patient room and cleaning instruments. They can also be exposed to dust, fumes, radiation or hazardous chemicals.

. Bolyard EA, Tablan OC, Williams WW, Pearson ML, Shapiro CN, Deitchman SD, Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). Guideline for infection control in healthcare personnel, 1998. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1998;19:407–63

With fondness, I will always remember when I first began to consider dentistry as a future profession. My childhood mentor Dr. Spigner was having a weekend workshop for his patients, at this moment, I was exposed to dental education at its full capacity. While there we learned how to properly brush and floss our teeth, the benefits of tooth hygiene, and how fillings are applied to adolescent teeth. After learning these helpful tips, I wanted to share my newfound information about the importance of

They communicated confidence, knowledge, and competence. He demonstrated to have a true base of knowledge, and the presentation had credible resources. The content showed appropriate depth, and I can honestly say I gained significant knowledge from it. The topic was comprehensively covered. I was very interested in this topic, not only because it is extremely important in the dental field, but also because the presenter was very persuasive. I believe he achieved a complete mastery of the topic. The infection control protocol is part of our daily routine as dental hygienists. The purpose of the study being conducted was to investigate the knowledge and awareness of the dental staff in relation to infection control. This descriptive survey that was conducted in dental offices suggested that some dental clinics neglect the importance of personal protection and cross contamination. This is something that has to be changed. People need to understand how important it is to follow infection control protocols. It is necessary to increase awareness of disease transmission. Diseases can be transmitted easily if the dental team does not take the necessary

Fundamentals of infection prevention and control British Journal of healthcare Assistants Vo108 No 03 Pg. 116-123

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become more commonly seen in the world. It is important to show compassion rather than judging that patient based on a virus. The hygienist plays an important role in making the patient feel comfortable and in a judgment free environment. The patient should not feel as if the disease or virus defines the overall character of the patient. Standards precautions are still the same when treating all patients with or without a compromising disease or virus. However, the hygienist should be aware of future signs and symptoms of the oral cavity due to HIV. Education on awareness will allow the hygienist to provide certain treatment to that particular patient to increase comfort and prevent further irritation.