Infection Control in Pediatric Dentistry

Centres for disease control and prevention (CDC) has developed a framework for healthcare personnel and healthcare systems for the delivery of nonemergent care. Infection control is important in dentistry because patient saliva may be contaminated with oral commensal and opportunistic pathogens. In addition, it can harbour specific pathogens during infection as well as during the carrier state, including SARS-CoV-2. Due to the nature of the dental procedures, exposure to the blood and saliva aerosols is unavoidable. Direct contact with fluid-contaminated environmental surfaces, instruments and equipment is also a potential source of pathogen transmission. In a dental practice, the dentist, dental assistant, instrument processing and administration staff, as well as the patients, are at risk of transmission of infections. Dental laboratory staff members are also at risk due to the cross-contamination between the clinic and the laboratory. In addition, it can be extended to their families if the infection control measures are not taken correctly. Therefore, historically step by step infection control measures have been recommended by the CDC and countries across the globe have drawn up individual country-specific guidelines.