Saúde Bucal e Gestão Odontológica

Abstrato

Cross-infection in dentistry and its control

Angelina Kiselova, Doan Ziya

The article studies a topical problem related to cross-infection and its control in dentistry. In recent
years much attention has focused on this problem first of all with hepatitis B and its related agents,
and then with HIV. Although screening is possible in some cases, in day-to-day practice and in particularly
in private dentists' surgeries, this is of little value as most of the individuals with Hepatitis
B and HIV infection are asymptomatic and therefore difficult to identify. Hence, in order to avoid
such risks, safe practice mandates the use of strict cross-infection control as part of everyday practice
on all patients.
Bacterial infection is regarded as a major etiological factor in focal infection of dental origin. This
is a problem that can be overcome by relevant treatment of the disorders of development of the teeth
and related tissues.
The prevention of cross-infection becomes the focal point in the education of students of dentistry
from their very first day at the Faculty of Dentistry both in terms of their own health safety and that
of their patients. Besides, it is also a state policy - all health control bodies are primarily concerned
with hygiene and health safety in terms of cross-infection prevention. The author shares her experience
and practice in cross-infection control and prevention.