The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Feb. 7 announced the first major revision since 1993 of CDC-recommended infection control procedures for dentistry.
"The guideline has been developed for practitioners who provide care for patients and who are responsible for monitoring and preventing infections and occupational health and safety in dental healthcare settings," the CDC said in announcing the proposed changes. The draft recommended infection control practices for dentistry are intended to replace 1993 recommendations covering all aspects of infection control procedures in dentistry.
The announcement did not include the draft recommendations but said they are posted at the CDC Web site "www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/infection_control/guidelines/comments.htm". The new recommendations, in two parts, will consolidate current recommendations for the prevention and control of infectious diseases and management of occupational health and safety issues. They have been issued as draft recommendations for public comment through March 17.
The draft includes a review of the scientific data regarding dental infection control issues and consensus evidence-based recommendations by the CDC Division of Oral Health, other CDC agencies and a national panel of dental infection control experts.
Recommendations will cover employee health programs, personal protective equipment and procedures, preventing exposures to bloodborne pathogens, hand hygiene, sterilization or disinfection of patient care items, the office environment, dental unit waterlines and water quality, special dental equipment and procedures and program evaluation, the CDC said.
The draft revisions of current guidelines were announced in the Federal Register, the official record of government regulatory activity, and can be found at "a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-3026.htm".
Comments on the draft recommendations will be accepted in writing through March 14 at CDC addresses cited in the announcement.
The American Dental Association will review and comment on the proposed guidelines. The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs has appointed a subcommittee to review the document and relevant ADA policies. "There definitely will be a response," said Dr. Daniel Meyer, associate executive director, ADA Division of Science.
