What does a�?Safety in Dental Hygiene Carea�� mean?A� This phrase applies to many areas of dental hygiene care.A� The examples that follow are not an all-inclusive list, but a great start!
Infection Control
Before a client actually sits in the dental chair to receive dental hygiene care (or any other form of dental treatment), it is essential that the area where the treatment will be taking place be disinfected and thus guarded from contamination transfer from previous clients who have received treatment.A� The way this is accomplished is to wipe down the entire work area with bacteriocidal and virocidal products, barrier areas that are contacted by the operator during treatment (e.g. overhead light, low/high volume evacuation, to name a few), barrier areas that the client may contact (e.g. headrest) and run the lines used at each chair (e.g. high and low volume).A� Ensuring that all areas are disinfected and barriered before use supports client safety during treatment.
Contraindications to Treatment
There are many reasons why an accurate medical history or updated medical history is taken prior to client care.A� One of the main reasons, however, is to determine the safety to proceed with treatment, based on the health of the client.A� For example, as part of the Best Practice Guidelines, controlled blood pressure within specific ranges are outlined by the CDHO and are to be adhered to.A� These guidelines specify the type of treatment that can be continued, based on the status of the clienta��s blood pressure.A� If for example the blood pressure is too elevated, it would need to be retaken.A� If the blood pressure is still elevated, a medical consultation would be indicated that would seek clearance to proceed with invasive (i.e. periodontal probing, and scaling) dental hygiene care.A� This is only one example of the many precautions necessary to take to ensure client safety prior to dental hygiene treatment.
Instrument Use
As part of the training of a dental hygienist, safety with the use of a variety of instruments is vital.A� In dental hygiene programs, safe instrument use is a prerequisite for promotion between the academic levels.A� FacultyA� at CADH make sure students know how to correctly grasp, support, insert, adapt, activate and sharpen an instrument, so the instrument can be safely used on clients!
Safety at CADH is a number one priority! Make it yours too!
