INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM 4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)
PATHOGENS
MODULE 2 LESSON 1: PATHOGENS
The dental setting with its personnel has been recognized by the
Center for Disease Control has the greatest risk of exposure in a
wide variety of microorganism that is present in the blood and
saliva of their patients being treated.
A pathogen is an organism that causes disease. In order for a
microorganism to cause an infection it must attach to the host’s
targeted cells, penetrate the surfaces of the body and establish
themselves leading to cell destruction. While the body is well
protected from microbial invasion by an intact skin, the mucosa
lined orifices of the body are sites for the potential entry of
infection caused by these microorganisms. Depending on the
type, these pathogens can spread and cause infection.
TRANSMISSION OF INFECTION IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
ENVIRONMENT
Infection may be transmitted in the dental operatory by blood or
saliva through direct contact, droplets or aerosol.  Patients and
dental health care workers have the potential of transmitting
infections to each other.
Transmission of Microbes in the dental office environment will
depend on:
1. pathogenicity of microorganism
2. ability of the microorganism to survive in the
environment
3. route of transmission
Transmission of infection in the dental set up is through aerosol
with the use of dental equipment such as air rotor or mechanical
scaler which produces high energy fine spray that can pick up
microbes from patients’ oral tissue and distribute them in the
environment.
Another way in which transmission of pathogenic
microorganism can occur in the dental office is through the
equipment or work surfaces known as fomites.  Microbes
have poor adherence to surface of materials such as
stainless steel used in dental instruments or to smooth
surface materials.  However, if theses surfaces are
contaminated with organic materials such as blood, saliva
or body secretion, adherence will be greatly enhanced. 
Therefore, a delay in cleaning of the contaminated surface
will lead to an increase in the number of bacteria present. 
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP
In a good infection control practice, all surfaces that have a
potential risk of contamination should be cleaned regularly and
particularly before and between all patient treatment occasions.
As a healthcare provider, dental workers must understand the
influence of these mode of transmission and strictly implement
safety protocol measures to reduce the spread of infection in the
clinical area.
VIRUS
Viruses are made up of a piece of genetic code, such as
DNA or RNA, and protected by a coating of protein. Once
you are infected, viruses invade host cells within your
body. They use the components of the host cell to
replicate, producing more viruses. Viruses are different to
bacteria in that they are strict parasites and rely
completely on the host’s cells to multiply and survive
After the replication cycle is complete, the host cell will be
so full of copied viruses that it will burst open releasing
large numbers of viruses that will then go on and infect
further target cells either in the host or will be shed from
the host and will go on to infect further individuals. This
process results in widespread destruction of the host
tissues causing the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Antibiotics do not kill viruses and therefore are ineffective
as a treatment for viral infections. Antiviral medications
can sometimes be used, depending on the virus.
In Dentistry, oral viral infections manifest itself as either
ulceration or blistering of the oral tissues.  Evidence of
viral transmission in the dental office has created
awareness to oral healthcare workers to be
knowledgeable of the symptoms so available health care
protocols maybe practiced.
BACTERIA
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that thrive in
diverse environments. These organisms can live soil, the ocean
and inside the human gut.  Bacteria are
motile and have the ability to ‘swim’ and
multiply when in a moist environment.
Sometimes bacteria lend us a helping
hand, such as by curdling milk into
yogurt or helping with our digestion. In other cases, bacteria are
destructive, causing diseases like pneumonia and methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and tuberculosis.
1|Page
 INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM
PATHOGENS
In the discipline of Dentistry, a bacterial infection causes
demineralization and destruction of the hard tissues Causes of
Dental Caries enamel, dentin, and cementum) that can lead to
dental caries. The bacteria most responsible for dental cavities
are the mutans streptococci, most prominently Streptococcus
mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, and lactobacilli. If left
untreated, the disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infection.
Today, caries remains one of the most common diseases
throughout the world.
FUNGI
There are millions of species of fungi on Earth. It can be found
anywhere in the environment, including indoors, and human
skin.  When they overgrow, they cause an infection.  accidents arising from a dental procedure.
Fungi cells contain a nucleus protected by a membrane and a
thick cell wall.  Their structure can make them harder to kill. An
undiagnosed fungal disease can lead to serious illness and
death.  A key clue to when a sick person may have a fungal
disease is that he or she is being treated with medicine for
another type of infection but does not get better.
 Fungal infections, although uncommon in dental practice may
indicate a more serious systemic illness.  Oral candidiasis is the
most common fungal infection encountered in dentistry.
PARASITES
Parasites are organisms that
behave like tiny animals.  They live
and feed from at the expense of the
host
Parasites usually enter the body
through the mouth and skin.
Parasites that enter through the mouth are swallowed and can
remain in the intestine or burrow through the intestinal wall and
invade other organs. Often parasites enter the mouth through
fecal-oral transmission.
Some parasites can enter directly through the skin. Others are
transmitted by insect bites.
Once upon a time, dental patients believed a toothache was
caused by a tooth worm eating away their tooth from the inside
out. Modern-day medical science has proven that there is no
such parasite and that the concept is merely superstition.  But
evidences of oral protozoa have been identified and studied in
cases of gingivitis and periodontal diseases.
Infection Control 
There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of
contracting a parasitic infection:
 Practice safe sex, using a condom.
 Wash your hands regularly, especially after
4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP
handling uncooked food or feces.
 Cook food to its recommended internal
temperature.
 Drink clean water, including bottled water when
you’re traveling.
 Avoid swallowing water from lakes, streams, or
ponds.
 Avoid cat litter and feces when you’re pregnant.
MODULE 2 LESSON2: BLOOD BORNE DISEASES OF
CONCERN TO DENTISTRY
Bloodborne pathogens are
microorganisms such as viruses or
bacteria that are carried in blood and
can cause disease in people. 
Bloodborne pathogens such as HBV
and HIV can be transmitted through
contact with infected human blood and other potentially
infectious body fluids.  In Dentistry, these pathogens are
transmitted from saliva and blood from dental procedures or from
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
KEY POINTS
Dental health care personnel should strive to create a
safe, welcoming and nonjudgmental environment for all
patients in order to encourage dental care
 Infection with human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) predisposes people to certain oral health
problems
 Patients who are HIV-positive can receive
routine dental care.
 Dentists and all staff with direct patient contact
should follow Standard Precautions with all
patients.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, commonly known as HIV, is a
virus that can eventually become AIDS if left untreated. AIDS,
which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, will
eventually lead to death. Currently there are no treatments that
can completely cure the HIV virus, so once you are infected, you
will have it for life. 
HIV is classified as a retrovirus and works by targeting the body’s
immune system, specifically CD4 T cells, making it difficult for
the body to fight off infections.   Eventually the body will succumb
to opportunistic infections, which leads to death.  HIV usually
progresses very slowly, often taking years for a person to exhibit
signs and symptoms.
Although HIV cannot be cured at this time, but there are
treatments designed to slow the progression.  ART, or
the antiretroviral therapy has dramatically helped decreased
the number of lives lost with HIV.  The goal of ART is reducing
the viral load in a patient’s body, therefore reducing your chance
of transmission to others.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
 HIV is transmitted most commonly from anal or vaginal
sex and through the sharing of needles or syringes
2|Page
 INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM 4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)

PATHOGENS
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP

 Rarely transmitted through oral sex, blood transfusions,

or organ/tissue transplants
 It is also possible for HIV to be transferred from an HIV-
positive mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or
breastfeeding, although this is also rare.
HIV is not transmitted through casual touching, sharing
toilets, closed-mouth kissing, saliva, tears, sweat, or
insects
 Careful medical histories can capture insight about
patients to help identify those potentially posing
infection risk.
 Dentists and all staff with direct patient contact should
comply with all standard precautions (e.g., wearing
appropriate personal protective equipment and
disinfecting all equipment and surfaces after each
patient) for all patients.

HEPATITIS A VIRUS (HAV)

RELEVANCE TO DENTISTRY
Patients that are HIV positive can be treated routinely in the
dental office as long as standard precautions are followed
by the practitioner and staff.
It is important to obtain a detailed medical history from the
patient as well as their most recent lab values and to
determine their current disease status. A high CD4 T cell count
and low viral load would indicate an effective treatment regimen.
Dental treatment may be affected if a patient is severely
immunocompromised as wound healing would likely be impaired.
A patient with a very high viral load would also be more
likely to be contagious, so elective treatment may be delayed
until this is brought to more manageable levels.
INFECTION CONTROL
 Avoiding exposure to blood and bodily fluids is the
primary way to prevent transmission of HIV in dental
care settings.
 During dental procedures, saliva tends to become
contaminated with blood, increasing the risk of HIV
transmission from saliva.
 Standard precautions should be followed with all
patients, whether or not they have been diagnosed.    HEPATITIS A (HAV)  Person to person contact
Dental personnel should wear barrier precautions (e.g.,
gloves, masks, and protective eyewear).  
 The occupational source of greatest risk of HIV
transmission is percutaneous injuries. Dental personnel
can reduce their risk of percutaneous injuries by
following the Standard Precautions, having engineering
controls and work-practice controls for all sharps, and
following safe injection practices.
HAV is acquired in the U.S. primarily through close personal
contact with an infected person and during foodborne
outbreaks.  Unlike HBV and HCV, HAV does not cause chronic
infection.
HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV)
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a member of the hepadnaviral family. HBV
infects mainly the liver but can also infect the kidneys and
pancreas. HBV is a small, enveloped DNA virus. It is a
particularly stable virus, making it very resistant to disinfection.
This makes HBV able to live for a long time outside of the body,
therefore making cross contamination and infection much more
likely. It can survive outside the body for at least 7 days and still
be capable of causing infection.
HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV)
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood-borne virus of the family Flaviviridae
that often results in chronic liver infection. HCV is a small,
enveloped RNA virus that targets human hepatocytes. For some
people, the infection is acute and they are able to clear it on their
own, but in 70–85% of cases, it becomes a chronic infection.
Most people who become infected are not aware because they
do not show any signs of illness. Chronic infection can lead to
more serious complications such as liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular
carcinoma, and even death.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
 Contaminated food or water
Very rarely blood exposure

HEPATITIS VIRUSES

Key Points
 Hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and
hepatitis C virus (HCV) are prevalent and infectious
causes of liver disease.
HEPATITS B (HBV)  HBV is transmitted perinatally,
 HBV infection is preventable through vaccination,
percutaneously, and through
most commonly administered in 2 or 3 injections over
sexual contact.
the course of 6 months.
 It is also spread through open
 Although there is no vaccine for HCV, current
cuts and sores through
treatment regimens can cure more than 90% of
individuals in close contact
cases
 HBV infection is more
commonly seen in adulthood as
a result of sexual transmission

3|Page
 INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM
PATHOGENS
and IV drug use.
 It is not spread through
breastfeeding, food, water,
casual touching, kissing, or
droplets from coughing or
sneezing 
HEPATITIS C (HCV)  It can be transmitted in blood,
semen, and vaginal secretions.
This is most commonly seen in
patients receiving transfusions or
organs, needlesticks in the healthcare
setting, sharing drug needles and
through sexual intercourse.
Almost all those infected with HIV
(greater than 90%) who are or were
intravenous drug users are also
infected with HCV  environment after any contact
RELEVANCE TO DENTISTRY-2
Percutaneous injuries are the most efficient mode of HBV
transmission, but the majority of HBV infections among dental
practitioners occur from infected blood or body fluids coming in
contact with mucosa or existing breaks in the surface of the skin.
Dental professionals had a three- to four-fold higher risk of HBV
infection than in the general population.  Vaccines and
precautionary methods have contributed to decrease that
risk .  For adults, the vaccine is given in two or three
injections.   If there is an interruption between HBV vaccine
doses, the series does not need to be restarted, but the next
dose should be administered as soon as possible.
 Those who are unsure whether they have been fully vaccinated
can test their immunity to HBV through serologic assays.
HCV can be transmitted through a percutaneous injury (such as
a needlestick or cut with a sharp object) or contact between
mucous membranes or non-intact skin with blood, tissue, or
other bodily fluids. After a needlestick exposure to HCV-positive
blood, the risk of HCV infection is approximately 1.8%.
4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP
HCV has been detected in saliva, but no undisputed case of
HCV salivary transmission has been documented.11
Unlike HBV infection, there is no effective vaccine or post-
exposure prophylaxis available for HCV infection.  Prior infection
with hepatitis C does not protect against later infection.
Patient medical histories can assist in the identification of those
potentially infected with viral hepatitis.
Care of patients with acute viral hepatitis should generally
be limited to urgent care.
INFECTION CONTROL
To prevent HBV or HCV infection, dental
personnel should follow standard
precautions, which include wearing
barrier precautions (e.g., gloves, masks,
and protective eyewear) whenever there is
potential for contact with body fluids or
mucous membranes.
Use work practice and engineering controls
for sharps safety, and follow safe injection
practices
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s (CDC’s)
recommendations on infection
control the sterilization and
disinfection of dental equipment
and instruments.
Disinfecting the dental care
with potentially infected body
fluids is also important since
HCV can survive at room
temperature on surfaces for
more than 5 days, and HBV
can survive for at least 1
week.   The CDC recommends cleaning exposed surfaces
with a 1:10 dilution of bleach to water. Adherence to all
infection control recommendations is vital to preventing the
spread of hepatitis.
 In the event of an exposure incident
(e.g., needlestick, sharps injury),
employers are required to refer the
exposed employee to a licensed health
care professional who can provide post-
exposure evaluation and follow-up services that include:
documentation of the exposure; identification of the source
individual; testing of the source individual’s blood for infectivity
status; collection of the blood and testing; post-exposure
prophylaxis, if indicated; counseling; and a written opinion
documenting that the employee was provided services.  
In cases where dental health-care personnel are acutely
infected with HAV, the CDC recommends that they should
be restricted from patient contact and/or contact with
patient environments until 7 days after onset of jaundice.
4|Page
 INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM
PATHOGENS
MODULE 2 LESSON 3: OTHER DISEASES OF CONCERN TO
DENTISTRY
HERPES SIMPLEX 1-3
KEY POINTS:
 HSV-1 is
mainly
transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause oral
herpes (which can include symptoms known “cold
sores”), but can also cause genital herpes.
 Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections are lifelong.
 Most oral and genital herpes infections are
asymptomatic.
 Symptoms of herpes include painful blisters or
ulcers at the site of infection.
 Herpes infections are most contagious when
symptoms are present but can still be transmitted
to others in the absence of symptoms.
Infection with herpes simplex virus, commonly known as herpes,
can be due to either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or
herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is mainly
transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause infection in or around
the mouth (oral herpes).  HSV-2 is almost exclusively transmitted
through genital-to-genital contact during sex, causing infection in
the genital or anal area (genital herpes).
HSV-1 is a highly contagious infection.  Most HSV-1 infections
are acquired during childhood, and infection is lifelong.  healing
Oral herpes infection is mostly
asymptomatic, and most people
with HSV-1 infection are unaware
they are infected.  Symptoms of
oral herpes include painful
blisters or open sores called
ulcers in or around the mouth.
Sores on the lips are commonly
referred to as “COLD SORES.”  6. Even if aerosol danger is minimal, wear appropriate
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by ORAL-TO-ORAL CONTACT
to cause oral herpes infection, via contact with the HSV-1
virus in sores, saliva, and surfaces in or around the mouth.
HSV-1 can be transmitted from ORAL OR SKIN SURFACES
that appear normal and when there are no symptoms present.
However, the greatest risk of transmission is when there are
4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP
active sores.
In rare circumstances, HSV-1 infection can be transmitted
from a mother with genital HSV-1 infection to her infant
during delivery to cause neonatal herpes 
Relevance to Dentistry
HSV can cause persistent infection and is shed in saliva. There
is also evidence of transmission of HSV to health-care workers
from patients and from dental workers to patients.  According to
the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are
two treatments you should be rendering: emergency treatment
for dental conditions and treatment of the lesions. No other
treatment should be rendered.  
HSV can survive for hours in fluids and on environmental
surfaces, including counters and dental charts. Dental
handpieces have also been found to be a source of possible
transmission. Gloves are not a complete protection against this
virus. The infection control measure that should be practiced
most often is to simply not see the patient for elective treatment
when there is an active infection.
Infection Control
1. Limit treatment to urgent or emergency care
2. Delay elective procedures until lesions are healed
3. Provide treatment designed to reduce the time of
4. Where the use of equipment that produces an aerosol
cannot be avoided, use extreme caution and extra
PPE that fully covers the body (lab coat or apron),
eyes (goggles), and face (facial shield). Disinfect after
us
5. Use a National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health N95 rated or higher mask if aerosol may be
present (to protect against aerosol contacting oral
mucosa)
extra PPE to cover arms, hands, and to protect face
7. Be aware of the potential for sudden patient reaction to
pain. Unless needed, keep the hand that is not holding
an instrument out of the “line of fire”
8. Change gloves frequently if the procedure is lengthy,
taking care to wash the hands using soap and warm
water between glove changes
9. Provide eye protection for the patient and recommend
that the patient wash hands and face after treatment
10. Educate the patient on the nature of herpes labialis
5|Page
 INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM 4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)

PATHOGENS
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP

TUBERCULOSIS Relevance to Dentistry-4

Key Points In 2005, the CDC developed guidelines for preventing

The risk of transmission of tuberculosis in dental settings is
low.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends dental health care personnel include protocols
for tuberculosis infection control in their offices’ written
infection control program.
transmission of M. tuberculosis in health-care settings.  The
guidelines for infection control   reinforces the need for managing
dental environmental surfaces and should serve as the standard
for clinicians to follow regarding surface disinfection.
INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES

 Infection occurs through inhalation of mycobacteria, Additional guidelines as suggested in the research of
which then travel to the alveoli of the lungs; only people Rajasekar et al are as follows:
with active disease can spread the infection.
1.  Limit the use of ultrasonic scalers and highspeed
 A person with latent tuberculosis is not infectious; he or
handpieces in actively infected patients. High volume suction
she can be treated in the dental office under standard
is mandatory for carrying out any procedure to minimize
infection control precautions.
aerosol generation.
 A person with active tuberculosis, standard precautions
are insufficient to prevent transmission of the bacterium. 2. Use rubber dam isolation with high vacuum suction.
However, if the patient has productive cough, it is better to
avoid Rubber dam.
Tuberculosis is caused by
infection with Mycobacterium 3. Maintenance of proper hand hygiene, personal protective
tuberculosis. Infection occurs equipment’s like eye shields, facemasks, head caps, gloves
through inhalation of, which then and surgical gowns.
travel to the alveoli of the lungs.
4.  Standard face masks do not protect against TB
Only people with active disease
transmission, hence particulate face masks should be used
can spread the infection.
and often changed at regular intervals. Face masks should
Tuberculosis is transmitted
have at least 95% Bacterial filtration efficiency (BPE) for
through airborne particles, known
particles 3µm diameter. While treating patients with symptoms
as “droplet nuclei,” which can be
of active TB, the operator should wear respirators rather than
generated when people with
routine face masks.
pulmonary or laryngeal
tuberculosis sneeze, cough, speak or sing. These small particles 5. TB rooms should have effective air evacuation with either
(1 to 5 micrometers in diameter) can stay suspended in the air exhausted or HEPA-filtered if re circulation is necessary.
for hours.  If a susceptible person inhales droplet nuclei
containing M. tuberculosis, infection may begin if the organisms 6. Regular fumigation of dental operatories. Cleaning and
reach the alveoli. disinfecting critical and semi critical contact surfaces like
Dental chair and accessories. Anti-bacterial sprays may be
used.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
7. Use of barrier techniques.
 The aerosols that form in the dental clinics from both the
equipment and patient sources can cause droplet infections. 8. Use of high efficacy filters or UV light in the exhaust air
ducts.
Potential routes of transmission of Tuberculosis infection
include: 9. All dental settings should conduct an annual risk
assessment for TB transmission.
a. Direct contact with blood, oral fluids or other body
fluids.
b. Indirect contact with contaminated objects including
instruments, equipment or environmental surfaces.
c. Contact of eyes, nose, mouth and / or mucous
membranes with droplets/splatter containing
microorganisms.
d. Inhalation of Airborne microorganisms that can remain
suspended in the air for longer periods of time.

6|Page
 INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM 4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)

PATHOGENS
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP

MODULE 2 LESSON 3: EMERGING INFECTIONS OF

CONCERN TO DENTISTRY

World health was recently shaken by a novel virus which spreads

primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose
when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  Tracing the time
line of the World Health Organization, Wuhan health authorities
reported cases pneumonia last December of 2019 and
eventually identifying a novel coronavirus.  By the end of January
WHO authorities, after analyzing data and information,
recommended and declared the novel coronavirus outbreak
(2019-nCoV).  During this time, the first known case of the
disease was confirmed in the Philippines.

THE VIRUS
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
coronaviruses make up a large family of viruses that can infect
birds and mammals, including humans.  This coronavirus which
sports a spiky projections on their outer surface which resembles  The virus can spread from an infected person’s
the points of a crown have been responsible for several mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they
outbreaks around the cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe heavily.
world, including the These liquid particles are different sizes, ranging
severe acute respiratory from larger ‘respiratory droplets’ to smaller ‘aerosols.
syndrome (SARS)  Other people can catch COVID-19 when the virus
pandemic of 2002-2003 gets into their mouth, nose or eyes, which is more
and the Middle East likely to happen when people are in direct or close
respiratory syndrome contact (less than 1 meter apart) with an infected
(MERS) outbreak in person.
South Korea in 2015.   Current evidence suggests that the main way the
virus spreads is by respiratory droplets among
PATHOGENICITY
people who are in close contact with each other.
According to Jan Caretta, an associate professor of microbiology
and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, a
coronavirus's pronged exterior lies a round core shrouded in
proteins and a "greasy" membrane.   The core contains genetic Aerosol transmission through aerosol generating
material that the virus can inject into vulnerable cells to infect procedures can occur in specific settings, particularly in
them. So-called spike proteins extend from within the core to the indoor, crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces, where
viral surface and allow the virus to "recognize and latch onto".  infected person(s) spend long periods of time with others,
When the spike engages its receptor [on a host cell], a cascade such as restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes,
is triggered, resulting in the merger of the virus with the cell. This nightclubs, offices and/or places of worship. 
merger allows the virus to release its genetic material and hijack
the cell's internal machinery. Once this happens, the virus sheds The virus can also spread after infected people sneeze, cough
its coat and turns the cell into a factory that starts churning out on, or touch surfaces, or objects, such as tables, doorknobs
new viruses. and handrails. Other people may become infected by touching
these contaminated surfaces, then touching their eyes, noses
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS or mouths without having cleaned their hands first.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms
ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may
COVID 19 AND DENTISTRY
appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with
these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Dentistry is one of the most exposed and affected profession the
 Fever or chills Covid 19 contagion has brought.  During the height of pandemic,
 Cough dental procedures across the world were halted as dental
 Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing professionals are identified being at high risk for nosocomial
 Fatigue infection and can become potential carriers of the disease. 
 Muscle or body aches Posted in several studies, the risks can be attributed to the
unique nature of dental interventions, which include aerosol
 Headache generation, handling of sharps, and proximity of the provider to
 New loss of taste or smell the patient’s oropharyngeal region.  The dental office has also
 Sore throat the potential to expose patients to cross contamination if not well
 Congestion or runny nose equipped with infection control measures and dental health
 Nausea or vomiting professionals not knowledgeable in the safety precautions.  
Tele screening and triaging is the initial measure of precaution to
 Diarrhea
assess the urgency of the illnesses and injuries prior to

7|Page
 INFECTION CONTROL MIDTERM 4TH YEAR – 1ST SEMESTER (SY: 2023-2024)

PATHOGENS
PROF: DR. DE OCAMPO
DATE:
PROPERTY OF FMDLP

consultation.  Patient's evaluation and charting is done by the

dental staff during appointed time though medical history and
emergency questionnaire.  Patient's body temperature is also
assessed.
Specific dental infection control measures recommended and as
follows:
 Dentists should follow standard, contact, and
airborne precautions including the appropriate use
of personal protective equipment and hand hygiene
practices
 Preprocedural mouth rinse
 Use of disposable (single-use) devices
 Dentists should use a rubber dam to minimize
splatter generation
 Dentists should minimize the use of ultrasonic
instruments, high-speed handpieces, and 3-way
syringes to reduce the risk of generating
contaminated aerosols
 Provision of negative-pressure treatment
rooms/airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs)

8|Page