DNA 109 - Practical Infection Control at Wytheville Community College
Course Description
Effective: 2019-01-01
Studies principles of management of disease producing microorganisms and associated diseases. Emphasizes sterilization, asepsis, and disinfection techniques applicable in the dental office.
Lecture 1-2 hours. Laboratory 2-3 hours. Total 3-5 hours per week.
2-3 credits
General Course Purpose
Emphasizes to the student the importance of safety concerning infection control, blood borne pathogens, disease transmission, and chemical hazards.
Course Objectives
- Describe the dental assistant's role in prevention of disease transmission;
- Explain the routes of disease transmission;
- Discuss the body's immune system;
- Demonstrate the steps toward effective hand washing;
- Describe the importance of hand washing;
- Explain the differences of the three federal agencies that enforce hazard guidelines;
- Discuss material safety data sheets;
- List the guidelines for minimizing hazards;
- Identify some of the hazards in the dental office;
- Explain the blood borne pathogens standard;
- Describe the differences between nonhazardous and hazardous waste;
- Describe the mode of action, advantages, and disadvantages of the methods of sterilization;
- Compare sterilization and disinfection in reference to what can and can't be sterilized;
- Describe the various disinfectants and if they can be used for cold sterilization;
- Demonstrate the preparation of the operatory for a patient;
- Demonstrate how to clean and disinfect a treatment room; and
- Demonstrate recirculation of instruments
Major Topics to be Included
- Patient data gathering
- Microbiology and disease transmission
- Infection prevention and control in dentistry
- Principles and techniques of disinfection and sterilization
- Federal and state regulations for dental biohazardous and hazardous waste