Disease Transmission In Dentistry
By DR. Shahzadi Tayyaba Hashmi
DNT 231
Disease Transmission
Germs are the main cause of disease
Germs are also termed as microorganisms or pathogens
When these germs multiply, they become diseases . Diseases can be transmitted only in a distinct pathway. This pathway is known as chain of infection
Chain of infection
Chain of InfectionThe chain of infection contains four links:i. Virulenceii. Number of microorganismsiii. Susceptible hostiv. Portal of entry All of these must be present for the individual
to become infected with a disease. If one of these is missing, the disease cannot be transmitted
Chain of Infection1. Virulence: The virulence of an organism is its
strength or ability to cause disease The more virulent the organism, the
more serious the disease2. Number of microorganisms: The number of microorganisms describes
the amount of pathogens present. A large number of pathogens will destroy
the body immune system and diminish the body’s ability to fight off the pathogens
Chain of Infection
3. Susceptible Host: A susceptible host is someone who has a
compromised immune system. This means that this person has a disease already, is currently undergoing treatment for a condition, has not been getting enough rest or under stress
These things can suppress a person’s immune system and cause her or him to be more susceptible to an illness or disease
4. Portal of entry: A portal of entry is the way in which an
infection enters the body
Modes of disease transmission
An infectious disease is one that is contagious and can be transmitted from host to host via the chain of infection
Diseases are transmitted in one of the following five modes of transmission:
1) Direct Transmission2) Indirect Transmission3) Airborne Transmission4) Aerosol, spray or splatter transmission5) Blood-Borne transmission
Modes of disease transmission
1. Direct transmission:• Direct contact with infected blood, saliva or other
potentially infectious materials• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in
preventing transmission
2. Indirect transmission:• This route of transmission occurs when the dental
healthcare professional comes in contact with a contaminated surface without the protection of PPE
3. Airborne transmission:• Occurs through modes of inhalation• For example, a patient sneezes, and another inhales
some spores that may be present in the sneeze• Many serious diseases spread via air
Modes of disease transmission
4. Aerosol, Spray or Splatter:• This route of transmission is a form of airborne
transmission• Aerosol is generated by the use of the high-speed hand
piece in the mouth• An aerosol mist is emitted from the oral cavity, which is
contaminated with patient’s bacteria• Spray and splatter follow the same form and occurs in
patient’s mouth contaminating the surrounding area
5. Blood-Borne transmission:• Occurs only from blood-to-blood contact with an
infected individual• Many diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, are
transmitted in this way• The most common transmission is through needle-
stick injury
Disease transmission in the dental office
All members of the dental healthcare team should be concerned about disease transmission in the dental office
Dental professionals call this cross-contamination
Cross-contamination refers to germs within or from dental setting being transmitted to other areas of the dental office or carried out of the dental sitting
This can occur in a number of ways , including patient to patient, healthcare worker to patient, patient to healthcare worker and healthcare worker to community
Disease transmission in the dental office
1. Patient to patient:Cross contamination can occur from
patient to patient by not changing PPE between patients, by not properly disinfecting the treatment room, and by not properly sterilizing the dental instruments
The germs and bacteria are then introduced into a new host causing a “crossing” of infection
Disease transmission in the dental office
2. Healthcare worker to patient:The patient and dental healthcare worker sit in
a very close proximity to one anotherTherefore, it is possible for the dental
healthcare worker to transmit microorganisms to the patient unintentionally
It is important to use fresh PPE for each patientThis includes a new pair of disposable gloves, a
new disposable mask, a clean and disinfected safety glassesHand washing is always an important aspect of infection control
Disease transmission in the dental office
3. Patient to health care worker:Patient can also transmit microorganisms to the
dental healthcare teamThe same precautions as above should be followed
by the dental healthcare team to prevent the transmission of microorganisms
4. Healthcare worker to community:The dental healthcare worker may unintentionally
transmit contaminants from dental office into the community
Care should be taken by the dental healthcare worker to avoid this by changing and laundering contaminated clothes properly prior leaving to dental office
Cross contamination in dental office
Cross contamination in dental office
Thank you
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