Effective Surface Decontamination in the Dental Setting

COURSE SUMMARY: The practice of dentistry is primarily procedural. Contaminated environmental surfaces, including clinical contact and housekeeping surfaces, become a reservoir of infectious material with the potential to spread an infection to health-care personnel and patients. Transmission of pathogens can occur by direct or indirect contact of clinical contact surfaces and the hands of health-care personnel. Surface decontamination is essential to disrupting the Chain of Infection.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

• Compare decontamination to disinfection
• Contrast clinical surfaces to housekeeping surfaces and assign the proper disinfection protocols
• Describe how transmission of pathogens occur by direct or indirect contact of clinical contact surfaces 
• Demonstrate proper infection control protocol of surfaces to include cleaning, disinfection, and the use of barriers
• Discuss the Spaulding Classification and potential risk of infection posed to the patient from contamination 
• Apply criteria for the selection of appropriate disinfectants
• Describe how effective surface decontamination is essential to reducing the impact of antimicrobial resistance