Page 26 - Compendium Chapters for Course 1 (IC, DPA, OSHA)

However, prescription or safety glasses equipped with side shields are considered to be the minimal acceptable protective eyewear. Goggles afford the greatest eye protection. As an alternative to protective glasses or goggles, a face shield with a mask may be worn by the clinician. Because many dental procedures produce flying objects from materials such as amalgam restorations or crowns, protective eyewear for the patient should also be considered.
• PPE INCLUDES PROTECTIVE ATTIRE – GOWNS AND LAB COATS
Lab coats and disposable gowns provide protection from possible exposure to blood and other body fluids. When selecting a gown, consider those with the greatest coverage for your body. The isolation gown is ideal and recommended because it fits closely around the neck and the long cuffed sleeves cover the arms. Gloves should overlap the cuffed sleeves of the lab coat or gown. Lab coats and gowns must be changed daily or more often if they have been sprayed with saliva or blood or are visibly soiled.
Like masks and gloves, protective attire may only be worn in areas of patient care activities – clinical activities – and are not allowed in nonclinical settings or staff support areas such as staff lounge, doctor’s office or behind the front desk.
The appropriate sequence a dental healthcare worker should utilize when removing or donning each PPE item:
• On – (MEG) mask first, eyewear second, gloves last
• Off – (GEM) gloves first, eyewear second, mask last
HAND HYGIENE
(6) All DHCP shall thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water at the start and end of each workday. DHCP shall wash contaminated or visibly soiled hands with soap and water and put on new gloves before treating each patient. If hands are not visibly soiled or contaminated an alcohol based hand rub may be used as an alternative to soap and water. Hands shall be thoroughly dried before donning gloves in order to prevent promotion of bacterial growth and washed again immediately after glove removal. A DHCP shall refrain from direct patient care if conditions are present that may render the DHCP or patients more susceptible to opportunistic infection or exposure.
(7) All DHCP who have exudative lesions or weeping dermatitis of the hand shall refrain from all direct patient care and from handling patient care equipment until the condition resolves.
Intro Page - 26
Introductory Chapter: Dental Practice Act, Infection Control and Cal-OSHA
The California RDAEF: A Compendium for Licensure Success © The Foundation for Allied Dental Education, Inc. 2016 Copyright protected. All rights reserved