Infection Control for the Pediatric Dental Patient
Nancy Andrews, RDH, BS
Learning Objectives:
After hearing this podcast, the listener should:
- Learn
some new and “fun” ways to help pediatric patients practice appropriate
dental hygiene
- Learn
some minor alterations that they can make in everyday practice to help
pediatric patients feel more comfortable and happy
Not all microorganisms are harmful and, in fact, many are
protective. In pedodontic practices, there is an opportunity to play up this
concept of “clean” by providing children and their parents with take-home
guidelines or infection control products. Publicizing office asepsis practices
and sending home reminders with patients helps to market the office’s
commitment to high standards and focuses the dental team on consistent personal
hygiene and safety.
Especially in pedodontic offices, the thoughts and feelings
of the patients must be taken into consideration when selecting procedural
equipment. Equipment should be selected to make the patient feel comfortable
and at ease, while still providing the best protection for the clinician. There
are many simple steps that can be taken to help patients feel comfortable, but
infection control is never the less a topic to be handled seriously and with
great consideration.
Related Reading:
1. Guidelines
for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings---2003, Centers for
Disease Control MMWR Dec. 19, 2003 / 52(RR17):1-61.