Study guide C

• A causative agent
• A susceptible host
• A mode of transmission

• Any microorganism capable of causing disease.
• Ex. Pathogenic agents
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Protozoa

Dorsum of the tongue

A person who lacks effective resistance to a particular pathogenic agent.

• Nutritional status (poor nutrition)
• Heredity (Diabetes)
• Use of medications (steroids)
• Therapeutic procedures (chemotherapy)Underlying diseases and immunization status (proper immunizations)

• Direct or indirect contact
• Inhalation of organisms

TB and measles

• Aerosols
• Spatter
• Origin

solid or liquid form, are invisible, and remain suspended in air for long periods of time.

larger particles that drop on objects and people.

aerosols and spatter are created during breathing, speaking, coughing, or sneezing.

• Parenteral exposure (needle stick)** highest risk
• Contact with mucous membrane (eye, nose or mouth)
• Contact with non-intact skin (chapped, skin, dermatitis or wounds)

• Administer first aid as necessary.
• Puncture wounds should be washed with soap and water.
• Mucous membranes should be flushed with water.
• Written documentation of the incident

Safe designs of instruments and devices for the administration of anesthesia.

Maintain by the employer for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years.

• Brushing and using an antiseptic mouth rinse.
• 0.12% chlorhexidine provides a lowered bacterial count for more than 60 minutes.

60% to 95% ethanol or isopropanol

• Physical removal of debris
• Reduces the number of microorganisms .
• Removes organic matter, such as blood and tissue that may interfere with disinfection.

• Kills most bacteria, some fungi and some viruses.
• Does not kill bacterial spores or inactivate TB.

• Destroys vegetative bacteria, majority of fungi and viruses.
• May not be capable of killing bacterial spores.
• Inactivates TB

Destroys all microorganisms, but not necessarily all bacterial spores

• Instruments that penetrate soft tissue, contact bone or blood.
• Scaling instruments, surgical instruments
• Require sterilization after each use or disposal
• Requires heat sterilization

• Instruments not intended to penetrate soft tissue but come in contact with mucous membranes and non-intact skin.
• Dental handpieces, mouth mirrors
• Require sterilization after each use
• Requires heat sterilization or high level disinfection

• Comes in contact with intact skin
• X-ray tube head
• Protected by barriers
• Does not require heat sterilization
• Countertops, X-ray tube head, Safety eyewear

the destruction or inhibition of most pathogenic bacteria while in their active growth phase and the inactivation of some viruses

Every 120 hours of operation or every 30 days

• Autoclave
• Dry heat
• Chemical vapor

• Temperature must remain at 132oC (250oF) at 27.1 pounds pressure for 15 minutes.
• 30 minutes to dry

may corrode carbon steel instruments

• Requires longer processing time and higher temperature as compared to the steam sterilizers.
• temperature of 160°C (320°F) maintained for 2 hours; 170°C (340°F) for 1 hour.

• A combination of alcohols, formaldehyde, ketone, water, and acetone heated under pressure produces a gas.
• 132°C (270°F) with 20 to 40 pounds pressure; 20 minutes

adequate ventilation is needed; cannot be used in a small room; slight odor

• Extracted teeth
• Surgically removed hard and soft tissue
• Contaminated sharps

by inhalation from sputum and saliva of an infected individual by coughing, sneezing, or breathing heavily

Oral-fecal route of transmission by unsanitary food handling & water; not an occupational concern for DHCP.

Blood-borne route contact with infected body fluids; directly impacts practice of dental hygiene & patient care.

• Blood-borne route contact with infected body fluids; directly impacts practice of dental hygiene & patient care.
• exchanging contaminated needles, syringes, & other IV drug paraphernalia; sexual exposure; infection from blood transfusion & blood products

Transmission - sexual contact with infected partner.

Occurs primarily in individuals with multiple exposures to HBV, especially those with hemophilia and intravenous drug use.

• >100,000 RNA/copies
• persons with less than 200 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm

Sulcular epithelium can serve as reservoir for the viruses.

• Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis
• Herpes labialis
• Herpetic whitlow
• Ocular/ophthalmic herpes
• Herpes simplex virus type 2

infection of the fingers that results from viral entry through minor skin abrasions, most frequently found around a fingernail.

• –commonly known as genital herpes, but also occurs as an oral and perioral infection.
• Commonly referred to as a “cold sore” or “fever blister.”

• Chicken pox/varicella infection - highly contagious
• Shingles/zoster infection

• Infectious mononucleosis
• Oral hairy leukoplakia

• Infected licensee must notify BOD in writing no longer than 14 days after learning of infection.
• No later than 6 months after receiving acknowledgement of Hepatitis B status, licensee must:
• complete an educational approved program (at least 6 hours in duration) which will aid in a better understanding of the disease.