DN12 Module: A Comprehensive Report on Cross Infection Prevention

This report provides a comprehensive overview of cross infection prevention in a dental setting. It begins by defining cross infection and detailing methods of prevention, including hand hygiene, waste disposal, and the use of personal protective equipment. The report then explores the causes of cross infection, identifying various microorganisms and their transmission routes, along with examples. Standard precautions are outlined as crucial measures to control and prevent infections. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of immunization for dental personnel, discussing the time scales related to immunizations and the ability to start clinical work. It delves into infectious conditions that can affect adults, older people, young children, and those with special needs within a dental setting, including Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and Herpes simplex type 1, detailing their routes of transmission, immunizations, and necessary precautions.

DN 12

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................3
PART 1...........................................................................................................................................3
1. Methods of preventing cross infection...................................................................................3
2. Reflection...............................................................................................................................3
PART 2...........................................................................................................................................4
1. causes of cross infection.........................................................................................................4
2. Examples................................................................................................................................4
3. Standard Precautions.............................................................................................................5
PART 3...........................................................................................................................................5
1. Why dental personnel need to be immunized........................................................................5

PART 1
1. Methods of preventing cross infection
Cross infection refers to transmission of harmful microorganisms like virus and bacteria.
These microorganisms are transferred from one body to another; it can be human beings or
equipment.
Methods of prevention:-
1. Hand Hygiene: - it refers to the washing of hands before from any contact with
body. It is listed in standard precautions list which is followed by doctors and
people. After touching blood, body fluids, contaminated items, hand hygiene is must.
After sneezing or coughing, tissue plays as hand hygiene for human beings.
2. Waste disposal: - it is under policy of medical that management of medical waste
should be done in well manner. It is highly responsible for spreading diseases from
one person to another.
3. Personal protective equipment: - in these used gloves, masks, gowns, eyewear, etc.
are such types of equipment which is responsibility of self to handle and manage
them. It affects on interacting with other persons and control infection.
4. Sharps injury prevention: - in this, safe handling of needles and other sharp
equipment are to be done which is major task for hygienic people. It is or safety
purpose and from controlling infection from one person to another.
2. Reflection
I as a doctor in hospital prepare some plans for clinical area to be hygienic so that
infection does not transfer from one person to another person. As I have analyzed that, some
patients do not feel safe in interacting with other patients. So I realized to give mask for each
patient so that chances of transferring microorganisms get decreases. In addition, to supply safe
drinking water in management, it also leads to controlling cross infection.

PART 2
1. causes of cross infection
Cross infection is the transmission of microorganisms from one person to another
person.
Causes: - bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, cause cross infection. These microorganisms are are
transferred by contact between infectious one and normal one.
Routes of transmission- microorganisms are transmitted by following process: -
 Coughing and sneezing
 Human contact
 Dirty bleeding
 Prolonged use of needles, tubes.
 Unsterilized medical equipment
 By touching contaminated objects.
2. Examples
Term Infectious/non-
infectious
examples Transmission
process
Pathogen Infectious HIV, Zika and
syphilis
From having direct
contact of one body with
another body. It also get
transmitted through insect
vector or animals.
Non- pathogen Non- infectious E.coli It produces bloody
diarrhea due to toxins.
bacteria infectious cholera Bacteria are produced
inside the body having
improper food that makes
sick.
virus infectious HIV, rhinovirus It can be transmitted
through saliva, touch, air.

Like HIV virus also
spread through sexual
contact.
fungi infectious Tinea pedis,
ringworm
It is spread by having dirty
environment or due to
moist areas
spores Non- infectious Ferns, mosses,
gymnosperms
Spores are agents of
asexual reproduction. It is
produced through fungi,
bacteria, plants and algae
3. Standard Precautions
Standard precautions are combinations of practices in controlling infections
and preventing from transmitting microorganisms form one person to another person. These
precautions are used for taking care of an individual for not to be infectious to others. Hand
hygiene, personal protective equipment, waste disposal, environmental cleaning are some
standard precautions.
PART 3
1. Why dental personnel need to be immunized
Dental hygiene is listed in category 1 level because individual who is suffering from
dental problems are exposed to blood borne pathogens that result in human disease. This is
highly infectious one and can spread in whole body which is very harmful for the individual and
can also results in death. So its need to be immunized within time.
2. What is the time scale in relation to immunisations and being able to start clinical work? Give
reasons.
Immunisation is that process through which immune system of individual will be getting
fortified against any other agent like that of immunogen. This work when any external molecule
exposes immune system, which is foreign to body. There is time for every disease for
vaccination like for influenza person need to wait for atleast 4 weeks to give second live

vaccine. The live vaccines can be given on same day there is 4 day grace period does not apply
to 4 week minimum interval between 2 different live vaccines. It was included that WHO
recommeded that 95% of children in UK must be immunised against hib, mumps and many
other disease.
3. Describe in detail the following infectious conditions which can affect adults, older
people, young children and those with special needs, in the dental setting and how they
affect the body systems. Include routes of transmission, immunisation and
precaution/actions to take.
Hepatitis- most of the adults are infected by HBV virus who could recovered in 90 days an if
not lifelong immunity could be affected. It could be included that 90% of infants, 20% of
children and 5% of adults will be developing chronic infection and health problems as well like
liver cancer or cirrhosis. HAV is transmitted by faeces of infected person, spread through sexual
practice and by consumption of water. The vaccine of hepatitis B will protecting against disease
damaging liver of person. Hand washing before or after contact with blood will be best
pracustion from this disease.
Tuberculosis- the bacteria of TB will commonly grow into lungs of human inlcuding adults,
children and people with special need as well. This will inlcude bad cough lasting for 3 weeks
or even longer, chest will pain or coughing will also have blood inside lungs. Its bacteria will
get released through air by someone coughing. This could be prevented by isoniazid which is
form of drug.
HIV/AIDS- this could be leading to reduction in CD4 and T celles which mean that immune
system will get weaked and vulnerable for other life threatening infections in adults, children
and people with special needs. This is transmitted through number of body fluids from person
who is having HIV like semen, rectal fluid and blood as well. HIV can be prevented by using
new and proper protection while having sexual intercourse, using Truvada drug and by use of
clean needle.

Herpes simplex type 1- This could occur in children and adults by painful wound on index
finger and thumb. HSV 2 can transmitted through oral sex and cause lesion forming on skin. It
could be prevented through having safe sexual intercourse and not having many sexual partners.