Dental infection control at the year 2000: accomplishment recognized.
BACKGROUND
Health care providers have strived to address the many elements necessary to achieve effective infection control. Historical progress in microbiology and hospital asepsis provided the foundation for advances in dental preventive practices. Evidence supporting the application of current practices includes a long history of scientific and clinical investigations, technological advances in equipment and materials, and periodic publication of updated recommendations by professional health care organizations.


CONCLUSIONS
The routine application of precautions such as multiple aseptic procedures, latex gloves, masks, protective eyewear, clinic coats, automated instrument decontamination devices, time-efficient heat sterilization modalities, chemical disinfectants, waste management procedures and single-use disposable items have created a safer environment for dental personnel and patients alike.
Molinari
J A
JA
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry, Mich. 48219-0900, USA.
D001207:Asepsis; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D016635:Universal Precautions