Figure 9-3.- Soiled linen receptacle.
treatment, and after the patient is dismissed. There can be no short cuts or deviation from your command's written procedures and guidelines on infection control. They must be done correctly. You must be able to accomplish the following infection control procedures:
Prepare the DTR for treatment.
Assist the dental officer during treatment.
Disinfect the DTR between patients.
Secure the DTR at the end of the day.
Perform housekeeping duties.
Sort laundry.
Dispose of infectious waste.
In accordance with BUMEDINST 6600.10, the Dental Infection Control Program, the following procedures should be used. As a dental assistant, it is your responsibility to ensure that your DTR is properly prepared to treat dental patients. All dental personnel must strictly adhere to the procedures explained next.
At the beginning of each workday, flush each of the unit water lines and hoses for at least 1 minute, beginning with the cup filler and cuspidor even if their use is not anticipated. Potable water supplies may contain up to 100 bacterial colony forming units per millimeter (cfu/ml), and water in dental units, at times, can contain in excess of 1,000,000 cfu/ml. This microbial contamination comes from the retraction of contaminated water and saliva through the dental handpiece and the growth of bacteria in the unit water lines. Although most incoming water is chlorinated, chlorine loses its potency as the water lies stagnant in the unit tubing. Under the right circumstances, these bacteria will multiply and may become pathogenic. 9-8