Objectives

By highlighting existing CDC recommendations, this summary guide

1. Provides basic infection prevention principles and recommendations for dental health care settings.
2. Reaffirms Standard Precautions as the foundation for preventing transmission of infectious agents during patient care in all dental health care settings.
3. Provides links to full guidelines and source documents that readers can reference for more detailed background and recommendations.

References

1. Redd JT, Baumbach J, Kohn W, et al. Patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis B virus associated with oral surgery. J Infect Dis. 2007;195(9):1311 – 1314.
2. Radcliffe RA, Bixler D, Moorman A, et al. Hepatitis B virus transmissions associated with a portable dental clinic, West Virginia, 2009. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013;144(10):1110 – 1118.
3. Oklahoma State Department of Health. Dental Healthcare-Associated Transmission of Hepatitis C: Final Report of Public Health Investigation and Response, 2013. Available at: http://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/Dental%20Healthcare_Final%20Report_2_17_15.pdf pdf icon[PDF – 9.07 MB]external icon.
4. Klevens RM, Moorman AC. Hepatitis C virus: an overview for dental health care providers. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013;144(12):1340 – 1347.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for infection control in dental health-care settings — 2003. MMWR Recomm Rep 2003;52(RR-17):1 – 61. Available at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5217.pdf pdf icon[PDF – 1.21 MB]