CERTIFIED IN DENTAL INFECTION PREVENTION
AND CONTROL (CDIPC) EXAM 2026 Updated Practice
Questions Comprehensive Dental Infection Prevention
Review • Detailed Explanations • Verified Answers •
Complete Success Workbook
QUESTION 1
Who is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation and
monitoring of the infection prevention and control program in a dental practice?
A) The dentist/owner
B) The dental hygienist
C) The Infection Control Coordinator (ICC)
D) The office manager
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: C) The Infection Control Coordinator (ICC)
The Infection Control Coordinator (ICC) is appointed to manage, monitor, and
update infection control practices on a day-to-day basis. The ICC serves as the
designated leader responsible for the practical implementation of the infection
prevention program, including policy enforcement, staff training, monitoring
compliance, and maintaining infection control supplies. The CDC's 2016 Summary
of Infection Prevention Practices recommends designating an ICC to oversee the
infection prevention program.
Option A: While the dentist/owner has ultimate responsibility for the practice, the
ICC handles day-to-day implementation.
Option B: The dental hygienist may serve as ICC but is not automatically
responsible.
Option D: The office manager handles administrative duties; the ICC has specific
infection control responsibilities.
,QUESTION 2
Which federal agency sets and enforces standards regarding bloodborne pathogens
in dental settings?
A) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
B) CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
C) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
D) FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: A) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
OSHA is the federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing occupational
safety standards, including the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR
1910.1030), which applies to dental settings. OSHA standards are legally
enforceable and require dental practices to have an Exposure Control Plan, provide
hepatitis B vaccination, offer post-exposure evaluation and follow-up, and use
engineering and work practice controls.
Option B: The CDC provides infection prevention guidelines but does not have
enforcement authority.
Option C: The EPA regulates the disposal of medical waste and environmental
disinfectants but does not enforce bloodborne pathogen standards.
Option D: The FDA regulates medical devices and sterilants but does not enforce
occupational safety standards.
QUESTION 3
According to the CDC, what is the recommended frequency for reviewing and
updating a dental practice's written infection prevention and control policies?
A) Only when new regulations are issued
B) Annually, or whenever significant changes occur
C) Every five years
D) Never, if they are working well
,RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: B) Annually, or whenever significant changes occur
CDC guidelines recommend that infection prevention and control policies and
procedures should be reviewed and updated at least annually or whenever
significant changes occur in guidelines, regulations, or practice protocols. This
ensures that the practice remains current with evolving standards and emerging
infectious disease threats. Regular review also helps identify gaps in compliance
and opportunities for improvement.
Option A: Waiting only for regulatory changes could leave the practice out of
compliance with evolving standards.
Option C: Five years is too long; annual review is the recommended standard.
Option D: Policies must be actively maintained; "if it's not broken" is not an
acceptable approach.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is a requirement of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens
Standard?
A) Using only FDA-cleared dental devices
B) Maintaining an Exposure Control Plan and updating it annually
C) Following the CDC's immunization schedule for healthcare personnel
D) Testing all patients for bloodborne pathogens
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: B) Maintaining an Exposure Control Plan and updating it
annually
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires dental practices to maintain a
written Exposure Control Plan (ECP) that is reviewed and updated at least
annually. The ECP must include: exposure determination, methods of compliance
, (engineering and work practice controls), hepatitis B vaccination, post-exposure
evaluation and follow-up, and communication of hazards to employees.
Option A: Using FDA-cleared devices is a requirement for medical devices but is
not specific to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Option C: CDC immunization recommendations are guidelines, not OSHA
requirements.
Option D: OSHA does not require testing of patients; it requires assuming all
patients may be infectious.
QUESTION 5
A dental practice receives a shipment of sterilization chemicals. What document
must be readily accessible to all staff who handle these chemicals?
A) The manufacturer's warranty
B) The Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
C) The shipping invoice
D) The product brochure
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: B) The Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires that Safety Data Sheets
(SDS) be readily accessible to all employees who handle hazardous chemicals,
including sterilization and disinfection chemicals. SDSs provide critical
information about chemical hazards, safe handling, storage, and emergency
procedures. Dental practices must maintain an SDS binder or electronic SDS
access for all hazardous chemicals used in the practice.
Option A: Warranties are not required for chemical safety.
Option C: Shipping invoices are not safety documents.
Option D: Brochures do not meet OSHA's SDS requirements.
QUESTION 6
AND CONTROL (CDIPC) EXAM 2026 Updated Practice
Questions Comprehensive Dental Infection Prevention
Review • Detailed Explanations • Verified Answers •
Complete Success Workbook
QUESTION 1
Who is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation and
monitoring of the infection prevention and control program in a dental practice?
A) The dentist/owner
B) The dental hygienist
C) The Infection Control Coordinator (ICC)
D) The office manager
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: C) The Infection Control Coordinator (ICC)
The Infection Control Coordinator (ICC) is appointed to manage, monitor, and
update infection control practices on a day-to-day basis. The ICC serves as the
designated leader responsible for the practical implementation of the infection
prevention program, including policy enforcement, staff training, monitoring
compliance, and maintaining infection control supplies. The CDC's 2016 Summary
of Infection Prevention Practices recommends designating an ICC to oversee the
infection prevention program.
Option A: While the dentist/owner has ultimate responsibility for the practice, the
ICC handles day-to-day implementation.
Option B: The dental hygienist may serve as ICC but is not automatically
responsible.
Option D: The office manager handles administrative duties; the ICC has specific
infection control responsibilities.
,QUESTION 2
Which federal agency sets and enforces standards regarding bloodborne pathogens
in dental settings?
A) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
B) CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
C) EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
D) FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: A) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
OSHA is the federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing occupational
safety standards, including the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR
1910.1030), which applies to dental settings. OSHA standards are legally
enforceable and require dental practices to have an Exposure Control Plan, provide
hepatitis B vaccination, offer post-exposure evaluation and follow-up, and use
engineering and work practice controls.
Option B: The CDC provides infection prevention guidelines but does not have
enforcement authority.
Option C: The EPA regulates the disposal of medical waste and environmental
disinfectants but does not enforce bloodborne pathogen standards.
Option D: The FDA regulates medical devices and sterilants but does not enforce
occupational safety standards.
QUESTION 3
According to the CDC, what is the recommended frequency for reviewing and
updating a dental practice's written infection prevention and control policies?
A) Only when new regulations are issued
B) Annually, or whenever significant changes occur
C) Every five years
D) Never, if they are working well
,RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: B) Annually, or whenever significant changes occur
CDC guidelines recommend that infection prevention and control policies and
procedures should be reviewed and updated at least annually or whenever
significant changes occur in guidelines, regulations, or practice protocols. This
ensures that the practice remains current with evolving standards and emerging
infectious disease threats. Regular review also helps identify gaps in compliance
and opportunities for improvement.
Option A: Waiting only for regulatory changes could leave the practice out of
compliance with evolving standards.
Option C: Five years is too long; annual review is the recommended standard.
Option D: Policies must be actively maintained; "if it's not broken" is not an
acceptable approach.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is a requirement of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens
Standard?
A) Using only FDA-cleared dental devices
B) Maintaining an Exposure Control Plan and updating it annually
C) Following the CDC's immunization schedule for healthcare personnel
D) Testing all patients for bloodborne pathogens
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: B) Maintaining an Exposure Control Plan and updating it
annually
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires dental practices to maintain a
written Exposure Control Plan (ECP) that is reviewed and updated at least
annually. The ECP must include: exposure determination, methods of compliance
, (engineering and work practice controls), hepatitis B vaccination, post-exposure
evaluation and follow-up, and communication of hazards to employees.
Option A: Using FDA-cleared devices is a requirement for medical devices but is
not specific to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Option C: CDC immunization recommendations are guidelines, not OSHA
requirements.
Option D: OSHA does not require testing of patients; it requires assuming all
patients may be infectious.
QUESTION 5
A dental practice receives a shipment of sterilization chemicals. What document
must be readily accessible to all staff who handle these chemicals?
A) The manufacturer's warranty
B) The Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
C) The shipping invoice
D) The product brochure
RATIONALE:
Correct Answer: B) The Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires that Safety Data Sheets
(SDS) be readily accessible to all employees who handle hazardous chemicals,
including sterilization and disinfection chemicals. SDSs provide critical
information about chemical hazards, safe handling, storage, and emergency
procedures. Dental practices must maintain an SDS binder or electronic SDS
access for all hazardous chemicals used in the practice.
Option A: Warranties are not required for chemical safety.
Option C: Shipping invoices are not safety documents.
Option D: Brochures do not meet OSHA's SDS requirements.
QUESTION 6
