#15 in a series

Practicing proper infection control procedures is the responsibility of every student, staff and faculty member with clinical responsibilities. With the fast-paced nature of the clinical environment, it is sometimes easy to overlook basic infection control policies. To help raise awareness about these issues, we've created this series of infection control reminders and pointers. For questions about infection control policies or more information, contact the School of Dentistry's Director of Health and Safety, Dr. Molly Newlon at: newlonm@dentistry.ucsf.edu.

Strategies to prevent injuries include:

• Engineering controls. Devices used in the dental setting that are specifically designed to help prevent or reduce exposure to blood and body fluids, including recapping devices, sharps containers, instrument washers.
  
  
• Work practice controls. Methods of performing a procedure, such as using the one handed scoop technique to recap needles.
  
  
• Personal protective equipment. Creates a physical barrier between you and the blood, body fluid or injury. PPE includes gloves, face mask, gloves and gown.
  
  

Best regards,

Charles N. Bertolami, DDS, DMedSc

Dean