Infection control in the dental practice with emphasis on the orthodontic practice

Infections present a significant hazard in the orthodontic office because they can be transmitted by blood or saliva through direct or indirect contact, droplets, aerosols, or contaminated instruments and equipment. Because the incidence of certain microbial cross-infections in the dental environment has not been well documented, orthodontic personnel may not take the problem of cross-infection as seriously as they should, and they may transmit or contract more infections than they realize. The use of effective infection-control procedures in the orthodontic office and laboratory will prevent cross-contamination that may extend to the orthodontist, office staff, assistants, and patients. The goal of this article is to present infection control in a simple, yet comprehensive, manner, and to encourage all orthodontic practitioners to implement essential infection-control procedures in their practices.