Basic Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Dentistry

A practical step-by-step guide for all members of the dental team

Thoroughly updated, this new edition ensures all members of the dental team are up to speed on the practical aspects of infection prevention and control. It provides step-by-step guidance on the safe running of a dental practice, clear and concise explanations of the key issues and concepts, an overview of the evidence base, and coverage of legal and regulatory issues about which all staff members need to be aware. With more colour photographs and illustrations than the first edition, it also includes appendices full of useful practical and clinical information, and a companion website offering helpful instructional videos and self-assessment questions.

Key topics include communicable diseases, occupational health and immunization, sharp safe working, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, disinfection of dental instruments, surface decontamination, dental unit waterlines, clinical waste management, and pathological specimen handling.

An indispensable working resource for the busy dental practice, Basic Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Dentistry, 2nd Edition is also an excellent primer for dental students.

About the Authors

Dr Caroline L. Pankhurst BSc, BDS, MSc, PhD, MRCPath, is a former Clinical Senior Lecturer in Oral Microbiology at the Dental Institute of King’s College London and a Specialist in Oral Microbiology.

Professor Wilson A. Coulter BSc, BDS, PGCert Ed, MSc, PhD, FRCPath, is a Professor of Oral Microbiology at the University of Ulster and former Consultant/Reader in Oral Microbiology at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen’s University Belfast.

The authors are dentally qualified medical microbiologists with extensive experience in the field of infection control in dentistry. They have published numerous scientific studies in the field, the findings of which have been presented at conferences around the world. Both authors have served on government advisory bodies on infection control and decontamination, and teach dentists, nurses, therapists and hygienists at both pre- and post-qualification level in the UK and overseas.