DENT 122: Infection Control in the Dental Office

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 1.5
Total Contact Hours: 27
Lecture Hours : 27
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 54
Prerequisite: DENT 100 or concurrent enrollment.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course is designed to prepare the dental assistant in the prevention of disease transmission in the work environment. Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the infectious disease process, use of barriers, sterilization, disinfection, OSHA requirements, and the concept of standard precautions. 27 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • identify the Occupational Safety and Health standards that pertain to the dental profession
  • identify the Infection Control Regulations stated by the Dental Board of California
  • identify and describe the treatment and prevention of the various infectious diseases that could be contracted in a dental office
  • demonstrate an understanding of the bloodborne standards included in the hazards communication and exposure control plans
  • List the regulatory and advisory agencies that establish infection control standards, guidelines and recommendations and their responsibilities in the enforcement of compliance for the dental setting

Major Course Content

  1. Microbiology
    1. Pioneers
    2. Groups of microorganism
    3. Viruses/bacteria
    4. Transmission
    5. Prevention
      1. hand washing
      2. PPE
      3. immune system
  2. Disease Transmission and Infection Control
    1. Chain of infection
      1. types
      2. mode of transportation in dental office
    2. Immune system
    3. Prevention
  3. OSHA Bloodborne Standard
    1. Dentist/employers
    2. PPE
    3. Exposure control plan  
    4. Post exposure incident
    5. Training
    6. Immunization
    7. Record keeping
    8. Management of sharps and waste
      1. EPA
      2. hazardous
      3. infectious
    9. Hand washing
      1. procedure
      2. dermatitis
      3. allergies
  4. Principles and Techniques of Disinfection
    1. Treatment area
    2. Barriers
      1. types
      2. procedure
    3. Precleaning
      1. PPE
      2. procedure
      3. ultrasonic/hand scrubbing
    4. Disinfectants
      1. types
      2. procedure
  5. Instrument Processing and Sterilization
    1. Classification of instruments
    2. Instrument processing area
    3. Precleaning and packaging of instruments
    4. Sterilization monitoring
    5. Methods of sterilization
    6. Handpiece sterilization 
  6. Regulatory and Advisory Agencies
    1. Association and organization
      1. ADA
      2. OSAP
      3. state and local societies
    2. Government agencies
      1. CDC
      2. FDA
      3. EPA
      4. OSHA
      5. NIOSH
  7. Chemical and Waste Management
    1. Hazardous chemicals
      1. MSDS
      2. PPE
      3. control of spills
      4. eyewash unit
      5. waste disposal
    2. Hazard communication program
      1. employee right-to-know law
      2. hazard communication program
      3. written program
      4. inventory
      5. MSDS
      6. training
      7. labeling
    3. Dental office waste management
      1. state regulations
      2. classification of waste
      3. waste disposal
  8. Dental Water Lines
    1. Microorganisms
    2. Methods of reducing
    3. Self-contain water reservoirs
  9. Ergonomics
    1. Ergonomics in the dental office
    2. Musculoskeletal disorder
      1. posture
      2. deviation
      3. movements

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Assigned reading Reading as needed to complete assigned infectious disease report.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Infectious disease report

Examples of Outside Assignments

Describe each standard included in an Exposure Control Plan as required by OSHA.
Explain the difference between disinfection and sterilization.
Given a treatment scenario, describe the steps required to clean and disinfect the treatment room after dismissing the patient. Include required PPE used.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture