Overview

Although the principles of infection control remain unchanged, new technologies, materials, equipment, and data require continuous evaluation of current infection-control practices. The unique nature of many dental procedures, instrumentation, and patient-care settings also may require specific strategies directed to preventing the transmission of pathogens among dental healthcare workers and their patients. Recommended infection control practices are applicable to all settings in which dental treatment is provided.

More Information on Infection Control

• Fact Sheets
• FAQs
• Glossary
• Guidelines in Dental Health-Care Settings
• Publications
• Device Screening and Evaluation Forms

In the Spotlight

Tuberculosis Infection Control Recommendations*
The changing epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) and discovery of new diagnostic methods prompted a revision of CDC's guidelines to prevent TB transmission in healthcare settings. View CDC’s TB infection control recommendations for dental settings and learn how they should be incorporated into an infection control program.
 

Featured Items

To prevent the transmission of respiratory infections like the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus in a dental health care setting, infection control measures should be used at the first point of contact with a potentially infected person. Dental providers looking for guidance for preventing 2009 H1N1 influenza transmission can find the latest information from the CDC’s Division of Oral Health in the document Prevention of 2009 H1N1 Influenza in the Dental Healthcare Setting. (Word–40K)

The Journal of Infectious Diseases describes the first documented case of patient-to-patient hepatitis B virus transmission in a dental office.

Educational Materials

Slide Presentation for Infection Control Guidelines
This slide set and accompanying speaker notes provide an overview of many of the basic principles of infection control in the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings. It can be downloaded as a PowerPoint presentation or viewed on the Web site.

From Policy to Practice: OSAP's Guide to the Guidelines*
The Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) has produced this 170-page workbook, which contains practical information to help health care professionals put the infection control recommendations into practice. These resources were produced by OSAP through a CDC cooperative agreement.

Related Links

• American Dental Association Infection Control Resources*
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures*
• Safety and Health Topics for Dentistry from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• USAF Dental Evaluation and Consultation Service

* Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.

One or more documents on this Web page are available in Microsoft® Word Format (DOC). You will need Word Viewer to view and print these documents.

Page last reviewed: October 2, 2009
Page last modified: October 2, 2009
Content source: Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion