Radiographic Infection Control
To protect ourselves and the patient, dental professionals must understand and use
infection control protocols. The primary purpose of infection control procedures is
to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
Disease transmission involves pathogens or microorganisms that are capable of
causing disease.
In dentistry, disease transmission may occur due to any of the following:
1. Direct contact with pathogens in saliva, blood,
respiratory secretions or lesions.
2. Indirect contact with contaminated objects or
instruments.
3. Direct contact with airborne contaminants present
in spatter or aerosols or oral and respiratory fluids.
For infection to occur via one of the described routes of transmission, three
conditions must be present:
1. A susceptible host.
2. A pathogen with sufficient infectivity and numbers
to cause infection.
3. A portal of entry through which the pathogen may
enter the host.
To protect ourselves and the patient, dental professionals must understand and use
infection control protocols. The primary purpose of infection control procedures is
to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
Disease transmission involves pathogens or microorganisms that are capable of
causing disease.
In dentistry, disease transmission may occur due to any of the following:
1. Direct contact with pathogens in saliva, blood,
respiratory secretions or lesions.
2. Indirect contact with contaminated objects or
instruments.
3. Direct contact with airborne contaminants present
in spatter or aerosols or oral and respiratory fluids.
For infection to occur via one of the described routes of transmission, three
conditions must be present:
1. A susceptible host.
2. A pathogen with sufficient infectivity and numbers
to cause infection.
3. A portal of entry through which the pathogen may
enter the host.
