608 Dental Office Safety

Cleaning and Worker Protection

Introduction

A dental office has several different types of tools on site. Therefore, keeping them sanitized and cleaned on a daily basis will protect both the patient and the dental office staff. This module will look at specific cleaning techniques and how to protect yourself and your patients from serious illnesses.

Personal Protective Equipment

During procedures that could generate splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids, dental workers must wear a surgical mask that covers both the nose and mouth and protective eyewear with solid side shields or a face shield. Protective eyewear for patients also shields their eyes from debris generated during dental procedures.

When a surgical mask becomes wet from exhaled moist air; the resistance to airflow through the mask increases. This causes more airflow to pass around edges of the mask.

If the mask becomes wet, it should be changed between patients or even during patient treatment, when possible.

In addition, employees should:

• Wash their face, hands, and forearms before eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics.
• Do not take food items, drinks, cosmetics, or tobacco products into the work area.
• Use gloves and arm sleeves to minimize skin exposure.
• Do not enter the eating area wearing protective clothing unless properly cleaned beforehand.
• Store street clothes separately from work clothes in a clean area.
• Keep their work clothes as clean as possible during the work shift.
• Vacuum their work clothing before removal (clothes must not be cleaned by blowing or shaking).
• Wipe off their shoes before leaving the work area if booties are not worn.
• Do not leave the workplace wearing protective work clothing or equipment or take it home for laundering.

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