Infection Control
Proper hand washing with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Getting in between your fingers and and finger nails lavishly. All soil should be visible removed.
"Humming the Happy Birthday song twice"
What is proper hand washing?
This document, which must be signed by the patient, explains the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a procedure.
What is Informed Consent?
This acronym stands for the safety principle of keeping radiation exposure "As Low As Reasonably Achievable."
What is ALARA?
This toothbrushing method, which involves angling bristles at 45 degrees into the sulcus, is the most widely recommended.
What is the Bass Method?
This instrument is the "gold standard" for detecting subgingival calculus and has a fine, wire-like working end.
What is an Explorer (e.g., ODU 11/12)?
This process kills all microorganisms, including high numbers of bacterial spores.
What is sterilization?
To prevent orthostatic hypotension, you should do this slowly after a long dental appointment.
What is raise the dental chair?
The degree of overall blackness or darkness on a dental radiograph.
What is Density?
This type of interdental cleaner is specifically recommended for patients with Type II or III embrasures where floss is ineffective.
What is an Interdental (Proxa) Brush?
This specific Gracey curette is designed for the instrumentation of the mesial surfaces of posterior teeth.
What is the Gracey 11/12?
These are the initials for the standard set of precautions where all human blood and certain body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious.
What are Standard Precautions?
This is the medical term for the "dry mouth" often caused by medications, which increases a patient's caries risk.
What is Xerostomia?
This intraoral radiographic technique is used primarily to detect interproximal caries and assess crestal bone levels.
What is a Bitewing (BWX)?
This antimicrobial mouthrinse is often prescribed for gingivitis but can cause brown extrinsic staining of the teeth.
What is Chlorhexidine (CHX)?
Unlike a sickle scaler, this instrument has a rounded toe and a semi-circular cross-section, making it safe for subgingival use.
What is a Curette?
This type of autoclave uses steam under pressure to achieve sterilization, typically at 121°C (250°F).
What is a Gravity Displacement Autoclave?
When a patient has a history of joint replacement or certain heart conditions, they may require this before dental treatment.
What is Prophylactic Antibiotics (or Pre-medication)?
In dental x-ray tubes, this negatively charged electrode produces the electrons necessary to generate x-rays.
What is the Cathode?
This naturally occurring sugar substitute is "non-cariogenic" and can actually inhibit the growth of S. mutans.
What is Xylitol?
This is the specific angle (in degrees) between the face of a universal curette and its terminal shank.
What is 90 degrees?
According to the CDC, this is the required frequency for biological monitoring (spore testing) of sterilization equipment.
What is weekly?
This clinical note format stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan.
What is a SOAP note?
This phenomenon occurs when the x-ray beam is not centered over the sensor, resulting in a clear, unexposed area on the film.
What is a Cone Cut?
This oral hygiene aid is the best choice for cleaning under a fixed bridge or around orthodontic appliances.
What is a Floss Threader (or Superfloss)?
This term describes the part of the instrument between the working end and the handle; it can be "functional" or "terminal."
What is the Shank?