Dental procedures generate infectious aerosols — blood, saliva, and respiratory secretions propelled throughout the operatory by high-speed handpieces and ultrasonic scalers. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and CDC's Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings (2016, updated 2022) establish minimum requirements for personal protective equipment, sterilization, and environmental surface management. Compliance requires disciplined supply management — from glove and mask inventory to sterilization cassette systems and surface disinfectant selection. Our dental supply catalog and PPE section cover the complete infection control supply chain.
Standard Precautions PPE for Dental Procedures
CDC guidelines mandate: (1) Gloves — new examination gloves for each patient, with heavy utility gloves when handling contaminated instruments. Latex or nitrile examination gloves from our glove catalog meet ASTM D3578 or D6319 requirements respectively. (2) Mask — ASTM level 2 or 3 surgical mask for routine care; N95 respirator for aerosol-generating procedures. (3) Eye protection — protective eyewear with solid side shields or face shield for all procedures with splatter risk. (4) Protective clothing — fluid-resistant gown or clinical jacket. PPE must be removed before leaving the operatory and before touching computer terminals or patient records, preventing fomite transmission. (5) Hand hygiene — ABHR before gloving, soap and water when hands are visibly soiled.
Instrument Reprocessing: The Spaulding Framework
Spaulding classification guides dental instrument reprocessing decisions: Critical items (penetrate soft tissue or bone — scalers, extraction forceps, burs) require sterilization; Semi-critical items (contact mucous membranes — impression trays, mouth mirrors) require heat sterilization or high-level disinfection; Non-critical items (contact intact skin only — blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter) require low-to-intermediate level disinfection. Steam autoclave sterilization at 121°C (15 psi, 15-30 min) or 134°C (30 psi, 3-4 min) is the gold standard for critical and semi-critical items. Biological indicator (spore test) verification weekly or per CDC guidelines provides process assurance. Our dental section carries autoclave pouches, cassettes, biological indicators, and instrument processing accessories.
Environmental Surface Management
Contact surfaces (light handles, chair controls, switches) that cannot be sterilized require either surface covers (barrier protection changed between patients) or intermediate-level disinfectant between every patient. EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants with tuberculocidal claim (quaternary ammonium, sodium hypochlorite, phenolics, or hydrogen peroxide) applied with friction and sufficient contact time meet CDC dental infection control requirements. Our dental supply catalog includes surface barriers, disinfectant wipes, and spray solutions in bulk sizes appropriate for high-volume dental practices.
