Philippine Dental Association – thedentistbook.com

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FOREWORD
The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) has approximately 15,000 members
practicing dentistry. Imagine 15,000 dentists each having their own method of
instrument sterilization, their own oral surgical procedures, their own strategies on
infection control in the workplace. The absence of local infection control guidelines
has long been noticed by the dental community, and I am pleased that this year, the
PDA has fulfilled this need.

The seal of the PDA is not an unfamiliar symbol to our local dentists. It consists of
a pair of blossoming sampaguita sprigs surrounding the “Da,” the ancient Filipino
symbol for the letter D. Central to the seal is a lone snake twisted around a golden
staff—an ancient symbol called the Rod of Asclepius. Often mistaken for a caduceus
(two serpents entwined around a winged staff ), the rod is associated with healing
because Asclepius was a practitioner of medicine in ancient Greek mythology.
Although usually depicted as a rod or staff, a closer look at the seal of the PDA
reveals that the rod is actually an arrow. Indeed, the PDA is truly moving upwards.
With the identification of the A(H1N1) virus and the continued spread of many other
communicable diseases, it is only relevant that the PDA rises to meet global standards
through the infection control protocol.

May this endeavor continue to inspire dentists to place a premium on infection
control in the workplace. Simple practices that we may take for granted, such as
rinsing before a procedure, can go a long way. Together with the PDA, let us all strive
to reach greater heights.

DR LEO GERALD R DE CASTRO
President, Philippine Dental Association

PREFACE
DEDICATION
GUIDELINES ON INFECTION CONTROL FOR DENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
Rationale for an Infection Control Program
Objectives
Standard Precautions
Information and Training
Medical Evaluation and Immunization Programs
Exposure Prevention and Post-exposure Management
Medical Conditions, Work-related Illness and Work Restrictions
Preventing Transmission of Blood-borne Pathogens
Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis C Virus
Hepatitis D Virus
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Exposure Prevention Methods
Post-exposure Management and Prophylaxis
Personal Protective Equipment
Sterilization and Disinfection of Patient-care Items
Transporting and Processing Contaminated Critical and Semi-critical Patient-care Items
Instrument Processing Area
Receiving, Cleaning and Decontamination
Preparation and Packaging
Sterilization
Storage of Sterilized Items and Clean Dental Supplies
Environmental Infection Control
Dental Radiology
Aseptic Technique for Parenteral Medications
Single-use Devices
Preprocedural Mouth Rinses
Oral Surgical Procedures
Dental Laboratory
Laser/Electrosurgery Plumes or Surgical Smoke
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Program Evaluation