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Introduction
Fundamental infection control techniques date back to the mid-1800's. Dr. Lister used carbolic acid, (a phenolic) on instruments, in wounds, and as a handwash. Barrier products, aseptic techniques, and hospital-quality sterilization and disinfection are commonplace in dental offices today.
Included in this course are selections from a slide set prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to accompany the CDC "Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings - 2003" that are to give pictorial amplification to the course's text, tables, and figures.
CDC develops a broad range of guidelines which are intended to improve the effectiveness and impact of public health interventions and inform key audiences, most often clinicians, public health practitioners, and the public.
Guidelines can be developed by formal advisory committees, ad hoc work groups, and CDC staff. Development processes can vary, depending on topic, available scientific data, urgency, resources, etc. and are based on a range of rationale, depending on the availability of scientific evidence.
The Guidelines for 2003 identifies infection control practices that CDC recommends for all settings where dental treatment is provided. Although CDC recommendations are not regulatory, some practices are mandated by federal, state, or local regulations. These are identified in the Recommendations Section of the CDC Guidelines.
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Microorganisms
