Infection Control – CDC Guidelines
Overview (Dental Clinic) | 2025/2026 |
Comprehensive Q&A Study Material
Introduction:
This document provides a complete collection of infection-
control questions and answers based on CDC dental guidelines.
It covers procedures, sterilization protocols, PPE
requirements, hand hygiene, instrument processing,
environmental infection control, and disease-transmission
precautions. The material spans topics such as HBV/HCV
management, latex allergies, biofilm concerns, radiography
protocol, and emergency exposure responses. It is well-suited
for exam preparation, clinical training, and dental hygiene
coursework.
Exam Questions and Answers:
Why do we use powder-free gloves in the clinic? -Answer:-
When powdered latex gloves are worn, more latex protein
reaches the skin. In addition, when powdered latex gloves are
donned or removed, latex protein/powder particles become
aerosolized and can be inhaled, contacting mucous
membranes. As a result, allergic patients and DHCP can
,experience cutaneous, respiratory, and conjunctival symptoms
related to latex protein exposure
What are the predisposing factors/conditions to alert us that a
patient may have a latex sensitivity/allergy? -Answer:-Certain
common predisposing conditions for latex allergy include
previous history of allergies, a history of spina bifida,
urogenital anomalies, or allergies to avocados, kiwis, nuts, or
bananas.
What is the receiving, cleaning, & decontaminated procedure
for managing contaminated dental instruments? -Answer:-
Cleaning should precede all disinfection
and sterilization processes; it should involve removal of debris
as well as organic and inorganic contamination. Removal of
debris and contamination is achieved either by scrubbing with
a surfactant, detergent, and water, or by an automated process
(e.g., ultrasonic cleaner or washer-disinfector) using chemical
agents. If visible debris, whether inorganic or organic matter,
is not removed, it will interfere with microbial inactivation
and can compromise the disinfection or sterilization process.
After cleaning, instruments should be rinsed with water to
remove chemical or detergent residue. Splashing should be
minimized during cleaning and rinsing. Before final
, disinfection or sterilization, instruments should be handled as
though contaminated.
Why should you allow the instrument packs to dry in the
sterilizer before removing them? -Answer:-Instrument packs
should be allowed to dry inside the sterilizer chamber before
remov- ing and handling. Packs should not be touched until
they are cool and dry because hot packs act as wicks,
absorbing moisture, and hence, bacteria from hands.
Why is it important not to over-pack the sterilizer (specifically
what happens)? -Answer:-overloading the sterilizer chamber
can result in cool air pockets and items not being sterilized.
When is it appropriate to use unwrapped sterilization methods
and what conditions must occur? -Answer:-An unwrapped
cycle (sometimes called flash sterilization) is a method for
sterilizing unwrapped patient-care items for immediate use.
Unwrapped sterilization should be used only under certain
conditions: 1) thorough cleaning and drying of instruments
precedes the unwrapped sterilization cycle; 2) mechanical
monitors are checked and chemical indicators used for each
cycle; 3) care is taken to avoid thermal injury to DHCP or
patients; and 4) items are transported aseptically to the point
of use to maintain sterility.
Overview (Dental Clinic) | 2025/2026 |
Comprehensive Q&A Study Material
Introduction:
This document provides a complete collection of infection-
control questions and answers based on CDC dental guidelines.
It covers procedures, sterilization protocols, PPE
requirements, hand hygiene, instrument processing,
environmental infection control, and disease-transmission
precautions. The material spans topics such as HBV/HCV
management, latex allergies, biofilm concerns, radiography
protocol, and emergency exposure responses. It is well-suited
for exam preparation, clinical training, and dental hygiene
coursework.
Exam Questions and Answers:
Why do we use powder-free gloves in the clinic? -Answer:-
When powdered latex gloves are worn, more latex protein
reaches the skin. In addition, when powdered latex gloves are
donned or removed, latex protein/powder particles become
aerosolized and can be inhaled, contacting mucous
membranes. As a result, allergic patients and DHCP can
,experience cutaneous, respiratory, and conjunctival symptoms
related to latex protein exposure
What are the predisposing factors/conditions to alert us that a
patient may have a latex sensitivity/allergy? -Answer:-Certain
common predisposing conditions for latex allergy include
previous history of allergies, a history of spina bifida,
urogenital anomalies, or allergies to avocados, kiwis, nuts, or
bananas.
What is the receiving, cleaning, & decontaminated procedure
for managing contaminated dental instruments? -Answer:-
Cleaning should precede all disinfection
and sterilization processes; it should involve removal of debris
as well as organic and inorganic contamination. Removal of
debris and contamination is achieved either by scrubbing with
a surfactant, detergent, and water, or by an automated process
(e.g., ultrasonic cleaner or washer-disinfector) using chemical
agents. If visible debris, whether inorganic or organic matter,
is not removed, it will interfere with microbial inactivation
and can compromise the disinfection or sterilization process.
After cleaning, instruments should be rinsed with water to
remove chemical or detergent residue. Splashing should be
minimized during cleaning and rinsing. Before final
, disinfection or sterilization, instruments should be handled as
though contaminated.
Why should you allow the instrument packs to dry in the
sterilizer before removing them? -Answer:-Instrument packs
should be allowed to dry inside the sterilizer chamber before
remov- ing and handling. Packs should not be touched until
they are cool and dry because hot packs act as wicks,
absorbing moisture, and hence, bacteria from hands.
Why is it important not to over-pack the sterilizer (specifically
what happens)? -Answer:-overloading the sterilizer chamber
can result in cool air pockets and items not being sterilized.
When is it appropriate to use unwrapped sterilization methods
and what conditions must occur? -Answer:-An unwrapped
cycle (sometimes called flash sterilization) is a method for
sterilizing unwrapped patient-care items for immediate use.
Unwrapped sterilization should be used only under certain
conditions: 1) thorough cleaning and drying of instruments
precedes the unwrapped sterilization cycle; 2) mechanical
monitors are checked and chemical indicators used for each
cycle; 3) care is taken to avoid thermal injury to DHCP or
patients; and 4) items are transported aseptically to the point
of use to maintain sterility.
