CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INFECTION CONTROL
A CDC category that is the general recommendation supported by solid scientific studies.
What is Category IA?
These surfaces are contaminated by spray, spatter, or gloved hands.
What are clinical contact surfaces?
Two methods are used to deal with surface contamination.
What are surface barriers, and what is precleaning/disinfecting?
This EPA-recommended dental disinfectant kills M. tuberculosis.
What is a tuberculocidal disinfectant?
These items are used on one patient and then discarded.
What are single-use items?
A CDC category that is mandated by state or federal regulations.
What is Category IC?
Floors, walls, and sinks are an example of this type of surface.
What are housekeeping surfaces?
Must be done before a surface is disinfected because if the surface is not clean, it can not be disinfected.
What is precleaning?
These are the three chemical classifications of disinfectants.
What are halogens, alcohols, and phenolics?
These three FDA-cleared instrument-immersion disinfectants are used in dentistry.
What are glutaraldehyde, chlorine dioxide, and ortho-phthalaldehyde?
A CDC category that is based on theory and limited evidence.
What is Category II?
A surface that is directly touched and contaminated. Ex: Dental light handles, dental unit controls, chair switches, and chairside computers.
What are touch surfaces?
Chemicals that are used to kill most pathogenic microorganisms after precleaning.
What are disinfectants?
This disinfectant may leave a yellow or red stain and is an intermediate-level tuberculocidal disinfectant.
What are iodophors?
This high-level disinfectant and sterilant is toxic and may corrode instruments if contact is prolonged.
What is glutaraldehyde?
A CDC category that includes issues where evidence is lacking or unresolved.
What is No Recommendation?
Instrument trays and handpieces are examples of these surfaces that contact contaminated items and instruments.
What are transfer surfaces?
They are used on living tissues to reduce microorganisms.
What are antiseptics?
This intermediate-level disinfectant is the main ingredient in household bleach and is no longer EPA-registered.
What is sodium hypochlorite?
This high-level disinfectant must be prepared fresh daily and does not readily penetrate organic debris.
What is chlorine dioxide?
A CDC category that is strongly recommended and supported by scientific evidence and logical reasoning.
What is Category IB?
These surfaces do not come into contact with the dental team or contaminated instruments, including the floor and walls.
What are splash, splatter, and droplet surfaces?
These are fluid-resistant materials used to cover surfaces that are likely to become contaminated.
What are surface barriers?
These four categories include sterilants, high-intermediate disinfectants, and low-level disinfectants.
What are the four categories of disinfectants/sterilization chemicals?
These must be replaced between patients, including gloves and masks.
What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?