Infection control protocols in dental clinic
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Abstract
Infection control is an important part of dentistry that helps prevent the transmission of infections from one patient to another and from one dental worker to another. Because dental clinics create a "high risk" environment through the creation of Blood, Saliva and Aerosol, Infection control practices are necessary to protect both Patients and Workers from the hazards of these exposures. In order to protect patient safety and worker safety; strict adherence to Infection control protocols is required. This review article will discuss the reasons why infection control measures should be in place within dental clinics and how they can help to decrease the risk of infection being transmitted to either patients or workers. This review will focus on many aspects of infection prevention which include standard precautions (such as Hand Hygiene), Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and eye protection, Sterilization and Disinfection of Dental Instruments and Surfaces, Environmental Surface Management (ESM) and Biomedical Waste Disposal (BMD). The Review will give special emphasis to aerosol generation and management due to the fact that high speed dental instruments generate aerosols that may contribute to the transmission of respiratory pathogens. The review will also emphasize the importance of vaccination, occupational safety, and continuing education of all dental healthcare workers in order to implement infection control protocols effectively. Additionally, this review will highlight the recent advancements in infection control technologies (such as improved air filtration systems, automated sterilization monitoring systems, antimicrobial surface materials) that have the potential to improve the safety of all individuals involved in the dental profession. Finally, this review will highlight the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and consistent adherence to national and international guidelines for the continued improvement of infection control in all dental settings. In conclusion, effective infection control is a fundamental aspect of creating a safe dental environment. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to continue to educate ourselves, utilize new technologies, and follow established protocols to minimize the risk of infection and to provide the highest quality of care to our patients.
Dates & metrics
- Received
- 8 Feb 2026
- Accepted
- 13 Apr 2026
- Published
- 16 Jul 2026
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How to cite this article
Jose AT, Ismail-Suhaimy NW, Kumari S, Shekhar S, Kutty DK, Balachandran KP. Infection control protocols in dental clinic. J. Sci. Adv. Dent. 2026;1(2):54-62. doi:10.65929/JSAD.2026.1.2.005
Jose, A. T., Ismail-Suhaimy, N. W., Kumari, S., Shekhar, S., Kutty, D. K., & Balachandran, K. P. (2026). Infection control protocols in dental clinic. Journal of Scientific Advances in Dentistry, 1(2), 54-62. https://doi.org/10.65929/JSAD.2026.1.2.005
Ajimol Theresa Jose, Noor Wahida Ismail-Suhaimy, Shiprita Kumari, Saurabh Shekhar, Deepti Krishnan Kutty, and Krishna Priya Balachandran. "Infection control protocols in dental clinic." Journal of Scientific Advances in Dentistry, vol. 1, no. 2, 2026, pp. 54-62. https://doi.org/10.65929/JSAD.2026.1.2.005
Ajimol Theresa Jose, Noor Wahida Ismail-Suhaimy, Shiprita Kumari, Saurabh Shekhar, Deepti Krishnan Kutty, and Krishna Priya Balachandran. "Infection control protocols in dental clinic." Journal of Scientific Advances in Dentistry 1, no. 2 (2026): 54-62. https://doi.org/10.65929/JSAD.2026.1.2.005
© 2026 the authors. Published by REVO Publication. This article is distributed under CC BY 4.0, which permits use and redistribution provided the original work is properly cited.