Richard D. Bebermeyer, DDS, MBA¹
Sharon K. Dickinson, CDA, CDPM, RDA²
Lisa P. Thomas, RDH, DDS³ and
June Sadowsky, DDS, MPH⁴

¹ThE UNIVERSITy Of TEXAS hEALTh ScIENcE cENTER AT hOUSTON DENTAL bRANch;
²EL PASO cOMMUNITy cOLLEgE;
³ThE UNIVERSITy Of TEXAS hEALTh ScIENcE cENTER AT hOUSTON DENTAL bRANch 6516 M.D. ANDERSON bOULEVARD ;
⁴ThE UNIVERSITy Of TEXAS hEALTh ScIENcE cENTER AT hOUSTON DENTAL bRANch

In December 2003, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings - 2003, updating previous recommendations and providing additional recommendations for infection control in dental health-care settings. These recommendations—which serve as guidelines for dental practice—were developed and reviewed by authorities on infection control and prevention from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant public agencies, as well as from academia, and professional organizations. This article serves to review personnel health elements of infection control, as presented in this guideline. These elements include: education and training, immunization programs, exposure prevention and post-exposure management, work restrictions for some medical conditions, and methods of preventing transmission of bloodborne pathogens through hand hygiene, and use of personal protective equipment. This review is intended to support and facilitate optimal infection control and prevention in dental health-care settings.

Key words: Infection control, dental; transmission; methods; standards; legislation and jurisprudence; dental instruments; dental equipment; sterilization; disinfection
 

Copyright © 2003 by The Editorial Council of The Acta Stomatologica Naissi