Final Exam Study Guide Principles of Dental Hygiene
Use this guide to help you study for the final exam. Be sure to review all PowerPoints and
.readings
:Describe each mode of disease transmission and give an example of each in the dental setting-
Direct contact: direct exposure to body tissues/secretions with broken skin-
Indirect contact: injury w/ contaminated sharps & contact with contaminated surfaces-
Droplet infection: splatter/spray of microbes onto mucus membrane/broken skin-
Airborne particles: bacterial particles in water vapor inhaled into lungs-
:Define aerosol production-
- (<50 μm) everything in dentistry produces some kind of aerosol, occur in soil/liquid
form, are invisible and may remain suspended in air, small (<5 μm may be breathed
into lungs) and larger get trapped higher in respiratory tree
:Define spatter and describe how it is different from aerosol production-
- (>50 μm diameter) heavier/larger particles that usually fall within 2 ft of origin
Define each of the following pathogens transmissible from the oral cavity. In your description -
.include the clinical features of the disease, causative agent, and mode of disease transmission
HIV: blood (semen/vaginal fluid/breast milk) borne pathogen, causes immunodeficiency-
stages: acute infection (2-4 weeks) immediately contagious before its decidable*
chronic infection: asymptomatic HIV, usually undetectable*
AIDS: (final stage)Highly contagious, body can’t fight infection*
(Kaposi sarcoma/HHV-8 is common)
Tuberculosis: caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis •
- spread by inhaled droplets (direct contact) and reach alveoli causing inflammation
- incubation period = disease undetectable after exposure
- Active TB: acute, persistent, heavy cough >3 wks, fatigue, fever, spreads if untreated
- Latent TB: (from 2-10 weeks, up to 6 months) dormant in body (no symptoms)
(Hepatitis A: (poor-hygiene
viruses with blood borne transmission via contact with infected body fluids
- low likelihood of transmission to dental professionals
- spread by direct/indirect contact with infected blood
- Hep A: (fecal-oral transmission, not blood borne) caused by contaminated food,
insufficient hand washing, poor sanitation (incubation 28-30 days)
- Hep B: (serum, mucosal exposure to infected blood or peri-natal) symptoms include
jaundice, abdominal discomfort, liver cirrhosis/cancer
(incubation 60-90 days)
, Herpes Viruses: very contagious
(great concern for dentistry) highly contagious, often “cold sores”/“fever blisters”
- travels along sensory nerve pathways to specific ganglia & remains latent until
reactivated to produce recurrent infection
- 8 types; herpes zoster = oral manifestation
- Herpes lesions: - Herpetic whitlow—HSV-1, enters finger and causes abrasions
- Ocular herpes—HSV-1/2, occurs via splashing saliva into eye
- Herpes labialis—HSV-1/2, causes oral/genital lesions, gets triggered
- Clinical management: postpone appointment for active lesions, explain contagious
• Standard Precautions: protect healthcare providers and patients from blood.body fluids
(patients may carry disease & be asymptomatic)
• Break the chain of disease with immunization, sterilization, disinfection, barriers
• Clinical attire designed to protect from exposure to infectious materials
• Unit & Instrument Cleaning:
- Disinfection: process of eliminating pathogenic microorganisms but not spores
- Sterilization: process of removing, killing, & deactivating all forms of life & other
biological agents (no pathogens, zero contamination)
- dental office isn’t sterile environment
- most common error is overloading sterilization unity
What are the 3 tests to determine sterilization in the dental office? Make sure to include how -
.often each test is completed
1. Autoclave— (steam under pressure) inactivates cell proteins/enzymes with heat
- types: gravity displacement and high speed pre-vacuum
- used on all materials except heat-sensitive (oil, wax, powder)
- at least 250 degrees, load arranged w space btw objects so steam travels up
2. Dry Heat—action of oxidation (>320 degrees preheat)
- leads to less corrosion but takes more time
3. Chemical Vapor—(chemiclave, Harvey sterilizer) combines alcohol, formaldehyde,
ketone, water and acetone heated 270+ degrees to gas
- rarely used due to ventilation requirements
• Tests for proper sterilization: (must be done WEEKLY)
1. External chemical indicator: changes color to show autoclave temp reached
2. Internal chemical indicator: change color to show exposure to temp for req time
* 3. Biologic monitor: tests autoclave function/effectiveness, ensures no growth after cycle
Chemical disinfectants: categorized by biocidal activity
• High—(ex. Glutaraldehyde) inactivate all spores and forms of bacteria, fungi, viruses
• Intermediate—(ex. Cavicide) minimum level used in hospital/dental setting since it
inactivates all microorganizms (most viruses incl TB, herpes) but not spores
• Low—(ex. alcohol free, ammonium) inactivate vegetative bacteria and certain diseases
Describe why it is important to flush water lines in the dental unit. Be sure to include how -
frequently lines should be flushed, how long, and what types of units need to be flushed (i.e.
, handpieces, ultrasonic units, et
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lan
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al
si
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fe
ct
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th
isme
di
ca
ti
onr
eq
ui
rei
n
te
rv
ent
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on ◼
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i
on8
:Wh
ata
ret
her
i
skso
ftr
ea
ti
ngt
hi
scl
i
ent ◼
?What are the 4 objectives of the health history-
Form a positive dental hygienist–client relationship
Ob
ser
vet
hec
l
ie
n’
tsu
seo
fey
eco
nt
ac
t
,no
nve
rb
alc
ommu
ni
ca
ti
on
,an
dot
he
rbo
dyl
a
ngu
age ◼
V
al
id
at
eob
ser
va
ti
on
s ◼
Pr
ov
id
eano
ppo
rt
un
it
yf
ort
hec
l
ien
ttog
ai
ni
nf
or
mat
i
on ◼
Use this guide to help you study for the final exam. Be sure to review all PowerPoints and
.readings
:Describe each mode of disease transmission and give an example of each in the dental setting-
Direct contact: direct exposure to body tissues/secretions with broken skin-
Indirect contact: injury w/ contaminated sharps & contact with contaminated surfaces-
Droplet infection: splatter/spray of microbes onto mucus membrane/broken skin-
Airborne particles: bacterial particles in water vapor inhaled into lungs-
:Define aerosol production-
- (<50 μm) everything in dentistry produces some kind of aerosol, occur in soil/liquid
form, are invisible and may remain suspended in air, small (<5 μm may be breathed
into lungs) and larger get trapped higher in respiratory tree
:Define spatter and describe how it is different from aerosol production-
- (>50 μm diameter) heavier/larger particles that usually fall within 2 ft of origin
Define each of the following pathogens transmissible from the oral cavity. In your description -
.include the clinical features of the disease, causative agent, and mode of disease transmission
HIV: blood (semen/vaginal fluid/breast milk) borne pathogen, causes immunodeficiency-
stages: acute infection (2-4 weeks) immediately contagious before its decidable*
chronic infection: asymptomatic HIV, usually undetectable*
AIDS: (final stage)Highly contagious, body can’t fight infection*
(Kaposi sarcoma/HHV-8 is common)
Tuberculosis: caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis •
- spread by inhaled droplets (direct contact) and reach alveoli causing inflammation
- incubation period = disease undetectable after exposure
- Active TB: acute, persistent, heavy cough >3 wks, fatigue, fever, spreads if untreated
- Latent TB: (from 2-10 weeks, up to 6 months) dormant in body (no symptoms)
(Hepatitis A: (poor-hygiene
viruses with blood borne transmission via contact with infected body fluids
- low likelihood of transmission to dental professionals
- spread by direct/indirect contact with infected blood
- Hep A: (fecal-oral transmission, not blood borne) caused by contaminated food,
insufficient hand washing, poor sanitation (incubation 28-30 days)
- Hep B: (serum, mucosal exposure to infected blood or peri-natal) symptoms include
jaundice, abdominal discomfort, liver cirrhosis/cancer
(incubation 60-90 days)
, Herpes Viruses: very contagious
(great concern for dentistry) highly contagious, often “cold sores”/“fever blisters”
- travels along sensory nerve pathways to specific ganglia & remains latent until
reactivated to produce recurrent infection
- 8 types; herpes zoster = oral manifestation
- Herpes lesions: - Herpetic whitlow—HSV-1, enters finger and causes abrasions
- Ocular herpes—HSV-1/2, occurs via splashing saliva into eye
- Herpes labialis—HSV-1/2, causes oral/genital lesions, gets triggered
- Clinical management: postpone appointment for active lesions, explain contagious
• Standard Precautions: protect healthcare providers and patients from blood.body fluids
(patients may carry disease & be asymptomatic)
• Break the chain of disease with immunization, sterilization, disinfection, barriers
• Clinical attire designed to protect from exposure to infectious materials
• Unit & Instrument Cleaning:
- Disinfection: process of eliminating pathogenic microorganisms but not spores
- Sterilization: process of removing, killing, & deactivating all forms of life & other
biological agents (no pathogens, zero contamination)
- dental office isn’t sterile environment
- most common error is overloading sterilization unity
What are the 3 tests to determine sterilization in the dental office? Make sure to include how -
.often each test is completed
1. Autoclave— (steam under pressure) inactivates cell proteins/enzymes with heat
- types: gravity displacement and high speed pre-vacuum
- used on all materials except heat-sensitive (oil, wax, powder)
- at least 250 degrees, load arranged w space btw objects so steam travels up
2. Dry Heat—action of oxidation (>320 degrees preheat)
- leads to less corrosion but takes more time
3. Chemical Vapor—(chemiclave, Harvey sterilizer) combines alcohol, formaldehyde,
ketone, water and acetone heated 270+ degrees to gas
- rarely used due to ventilation requirements
• Tests for proper sterilization: (must be done WEEKLY)
1. External chemical indicator: changes color to show autoclave temp reached
2. Internal chemical indicator: change color to show exposure to temp for req time
* 3. Biologic monitor: tests autoclave function/effectiveness, ensures no growth after cycle
Chemical disinfectants: categorized by biocidal activity
• High—(ex. Glutaraldehyde) inactivate all spores and forms of bacteria, fungi, viruses
• Intermediate—(ex. Cavicide) minimum level used in hospital/dental setting since it
inactivates all microorganizms (most viruses incl TB, herpes) but not spores
• Low—(ex. alcohol free, ammonium) inactivate vegetative bacteria and certain diseases
Describe why it is important to flush water lines in the dental unit. Be sure to include how -
frequently lines should be flushed, how long, and what types of units need to be flushed (i.e.
, handpieces, ultrasonic units, et
EightFunda me n t
alAs sessme n t Qu
est
i
ons
?Qu
est
i
on1
:Wh
yist
hec
l
ie
ntt
ak
i
ngme
di
ca
ti
on ◼
Qu
est
i
on2
:Ar
esy
mpt
omsr
ep
ort
edd
ur
ingth
ecl
i
en’
t
she
al
thh
is
to
ryi
nt
er
vi
ewc
aus
edb
yame
di
ca
l ◼
?con
dit
i
on,
oraret
heydr
ugsideefe
cts
?Qu
est
i
on1
:Wh
yist
hec
l
ie
ntt
ak
i
ngme
di
ca
ti
on ◼
Qu
est
i
on2
:Ar
esy
mpt
omsr
ep
ort
edd
ur
ingth
ecl
i
en’
t
she
al
thh
is
to
ryi
nt
er
vi
ewc
aus
edb
yame
di
ca
l ◼
?con
dit
i
on,
oraret
heydr
ugsideefe
cts
?Qu
est
i
on3
:Wh
ata
ret
hea
dve
rs
eefe
ct
sof
th
isd
ru
g ◼
?Qu
est
i
on4
:Ar
eth
er
epo
te
nt
ia
ldr
ugi
n
ter
ac
ti
on
s ◼
?Qu
est
i
on5
:Dot
he
seifn
di
ng
ssu
gge
stap
ro
bl
emwi
t
hdr
ugd
osa
ge ◼
?Qu
est
i
on6
:Ho
wist
hi
scl
i
en
tma
nag
in
gme
di
ca
ti
on
s ◼
?Qu
est
i
on7
:Wi
l
lan
yor
al
si
dee
fe
ct
sof
th
isme
di
ca
ti
onr
eq
ui
rei
n
te
rv
ent
i
on ◼
?Qu
est
i
on8
:Wh
ata
ret
her
i
skso
ftr
ea
ti
ngt
hi
scl
i
ent ◼
?What are the 4 objectives of the health history-
Form a positive dental hygienist–client relationship
Ob
ser
vet
hec
l
ie
n’
tsu
seo
fey
eco
nt
ac
t
,no
nve
rb
alc
ommu
ni
ca
ti
on
,an
dot
he
rbo
dyl
a
ngu
age ◼
V
al
id
at
eob
ser
va
ti
on
s ◼
Pr
ov
id
eano
ppo
rt
un
it
yf
ort
hec
l
ien
ttog
ai
ni
nf
or
mat
i
on ◼
