title: Infection control and dental practice: frequently asked questions.
abstract: The principles of infection control are constantly evolving to meet the challenges presented by newly emerging diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003, is an important update of current infection control practices that will help the dental profession be better prepared to reduce the transmission of infectious disease(s) in the foreseeable future. However, basic questions still abound. This article reviews frequently asked questions and formats their answers according to recommendations from the 2003 CDC document.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Louis G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: DePaola
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000145:classification; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000382:microbiology; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines