f. Candidiasis (Moniliasis; Thrush). Candidiasis is a surface infection of the
mouth caused by a yeast-like fungus. This fungus is normally present in the mouths of
healthy persons. When natural resistance is lowered, this infection may appear and
grow. It may affect newborn infants, patients receiving certain antibiotics, and adult
patients debilitated caused by alcoholism, leukemia, diabetes, or immune system
deficiency.
Section II. PROCEDURES FOR PROTECTION AGAINST INFECTION
1-9.
GENERAL
Dental patients and dental health delivery team members are all sources and
potential victims of infectious disease. Disease can be easily transmitted in the dental
treatment facility. During dental treatment, the dental officer and the dental specialist
touch a variety of instruments and equipment, as well as the patient's oral cavity. There
are standard precautionary procedures routinely taken to reduce the risk of potential
cross infection.
1-10. CLEANLINESS IN THE CLINIC
The walls, floors, and furniture of the dental treatment facility collect dust and dirt
that harbor disease-causing microorganisms. Thus, the basis of infection control is
cleanliness.
1-11. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
a. Definition. Universal precautions may be defined as treating all patients
alike since it is impossible to always determine how potentially infectious each patient
may be.
b. Saliva. Saliva in the dental setting is considered an "other potentially
infectious material" (OPIM) and must be treated the same as blood.
c. Equal Treatment. All patients are to be treated alike, that is, as potentially
infectious. Special restrictive alternatives are not appropriate, such as appointment time
restrictions, "high risk" protocols, or special treatment rooms.
1-12. INDIVIDUAL PRECAUTIONS/PROTECTION
The dental specialist should be concerned with the hazard of infection and
should take precautions to avoid cross infection, as follows.
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