Breaking the chain of infection

Health-care-associated infection (HCAI) has become a global healthcare phenomenon. It is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and costs, and pervades every health-care facility and system, regardless of the resources available (Pittet et al, 2008). Under a climate of government regulation, reducing the burden of HCAI became an explicit political priority from 2000 (National Audit Office, 2000).

Dental practices have a responsibility to adopt safe systems of working with respect to cross-infection control and decontamination. Separate guidelines on how to achieve this has been provided by the Health Departments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Chami et al, 2011).

From April 2011, all providers of dental care were required to register their services and meet a number of standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Dental practices are required to maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene; prevent, detect and control the spread of an HCAI; and provide treatment, where appropriate.