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Copyright (c) 2025 Khloud Saleh Hamad Alhafdi, Norah Falah Alnawmasi, Jaber Ahmed Jaber Alabdaly, Aesha Humood Mohammed Alosaimi, Rehab Hammod Alotaibi, Yahya Essa Yaqoub Najmi, Yousef Najeh Finkhir Alsharari, Amal Suliman Yahya Aldrsey, Abdullah Mohammad Alhussain, Anood Abdu Yehia Hamammy, Abdu Mohammad Okais Majrashi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Clinical Practices Toward Infection Control During Surgical and Dental Procedures-An Updated Review for Healthcare Professionals
Corresponding Author(s) : Khloud Saleh Hamad Alhafdi
Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health,
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)
Abstract
Background: Dental and surgical healthcare environments represent major sources for the transmission of infectious microorganisms because healthcare professionals are routinely exposed to blood, saliva, respiratory secretions, contaminated instruments, and aerosol-generating procedures.
Aim: This updated review aimed to evaluate current clinical practices related to infection prevention and control during surgical and dental procedures and to highlight the importance of standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, sterilization, disinfection, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and occupational exposure management.
Methods: The article reviewed and synthesized current literature and evidence-based recommendations concerning infection control measures within dental and surgical healthcare settings.
Results: The review demonstrated that adherence to comprehensive infection control protocols significantly reduces the risk of pathogen transmission in healthcare environments. Standard precautions including hand hygiene, sterilization, environmental cleaning, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment remain fundamental for all patients regardless of infectious status. Transmission-based precautions are necessary for managing airborne and respiratory infections, particularly during aerosol-generating procedures. Vaccination, proper sharps management, and effective post-exposure protocols were also identified as critical strategies for protecting healthcare workers from occupational infections. Furthermore, enhanced infection control measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic improved awareness regarding aerosol management and respiratory protection within dental settings.
Conclusion: Strict implementation of evidence-based infection prevention and control measures is essential for maintaining safe surgical and dental healthcare environments. Continuous education, vaccination, adherence to sterilization standards, and consistent application of standard and transmission-based precautions are necessary to minimize occupational risks, prevent cross-contamination, and improve patient and healthcare worker safety.
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- Sebastiani FR, Dym H, Kirpalani T. Infection Control in the Dental Office. Dent Clin North Am. 2017 Apr;61(2):435-457.
- Thomas MV, Jarboe G, Frazer RQ. Infection control in the dental office. Dent Clin North Am. 2008 Jul;52(3):609-28, x.
- Araujo MW, Andreana S. Risk and prevention of transmission of infectious diseases in dentistry. Quintessence Int. 2002 May;33(5):376-82.
- Denault D, Gardner H. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jul 20, 2023. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards.
- McCarthy GM. Risk of transmission of viruses in the dental office. J Can Dent Assoc. 2000 Nov;66(10):554-5, 557.
- Amato A, Caggiano M, Amato M, Moccia G, Capunzo M, De Caro F. Infection Control in Dental Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul 02;17(13)
- Cabrera-Tasayco FDP, Rivera-Carhuavilca JM, Atoche-Socola KJ, Peña-Soto C, Arriola-Guillén LE. Biosafety Measures at the Dental Office After the Appearance of COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2021 Dec;15(6):e34-e38.
- Sotomayor-Castillo C, Li C, Kaufman-Francis K, Nahidi S, Walsh LJ, Liberali SA, Irving E, Holden AC, Shaban RZ. Australian dentists' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infect Dis Health. 2022 Feb;27(1):49-57.
- Mahdi SS, Ahmed Z, Allana R, Amenta F, Agha D, Latif MW, Daood U, Mehanna C. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Dental Assistants regarding Dental Asepsis and Sterilization in the Dental Workplace. Int J Dent. 2021;2021:5574536.
- Lo Giudice R. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in Dentistry. Management of Biological Risk in Dental Practice. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Apr 28;17(9)
- Cleveland JL, Barker LK, Cuny EJ, Panlilio AL., National Surveillance System for Health Care Workers Group. Preventing percutaneous injuries among dental health care personnel. J Am Dent Assoc. 2007 Feb;138(2):169-78; quiz 247-8.
- Miller CH, Tan CM, Beiswanger MA, Gaines DJ, Setcos JC, Palenik CJ. Cleaning dental instruments: measuring the effectiveness of an instrument washer/disinfector. Am J Dent. 2000 Feb;13(1):39-43.
- McCarthy GM, Ssali CS, Bednarsh H, Jorge J, Wangrangsimakul K, Page-Shafer K. Transmission of HIV in the dental clinic and elsewhere. Oral Dis. 2002;8 Suppl 2:126-35.
- Ayatollahi J, Ayatollahi F, Ardekani AM, Bahrololoomi R, Ayatollahi J, Ayatollahi A, Owlia MB. Occupational hazards to dental staff. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2012 Jan;9(1):2-7
- Habib S, Shaikh OS. Hepatitis B immune globulin. Drugs Today (Barc). 2007 Jun;43(6):379-94.
- Villani FA, Aiuto R, Paglia L, Re D. COVID-19 and Dentistry: Prevention in Dental Practice, a Literature Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jun 26;17(12)
References
Sebastiani FR, Dym H, Kirpalani T. Infection Control in the Dental Office. Dent Clin North Am. 2017 Apr;61(2):435-457.
Thomas MV, Jarboe G, Frazer RQ. Infection control in the dental office. Dent Clin North Am. 2008 Jul;52(3):609-28, x.
Araujo MW, Andreana S. Risk and prevention of transmission of infectious diseases in dentistry. Quintessence Int. 2002 May;33(5):376-82.
Denault D, Gardner H. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jul 20, 2023. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards.
McCarthy GM. Risk of transmission of viruses in the dental office. J Can Dent Assoc. 2000 Nov;66(10):554-5, 557.
Amato A, Caggiano M, Amato M, Moccia G, Capunzo M, De Caro F. Infection Control in Dental Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul 02;17(13)
Cabrera-Tasayco FDP, Rivera-Carhuavilca JM, Atoche-Socola KJ, Peña-Soto C, Arriola-Guillén LE. Biosafety Measures at the Dental Office After the Appearance of COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2021 Dec;15(6):e34-e38.
Sotomayor-Castillo C, Li C, Kaufman-Francis K, Nahidi S, Walsh LJ, Liberali SA, Irving E, Holden AC, Shaban RZ. Australian dentists' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infect Dis Health. 2022 Feb;27(1):49-57.
Mahdi SS, Ahmed Z, Allana R, Amenta F, Agha D, Latif MW, Daood U, Mehanna C. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Dental Assistants regarding Dental Asepsis and Sterilization in the Dental Workplace. Int J Dent. 2021;2021:5574536.
Lo Giudice R. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in Dentistry. Management of Biological Risk in Dental Practice. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Apr 28;17(9)
Cleveland JL, Barker LK, Cuny EJ, Panlilio AL., National Surveillance System for Health Care Workers Group. Preventing percutaneous injuries among dental health care personnel. J Am Dent Assoc. 2007 Feb;138(2):169-78; quiz 247-8.
Miller CH, Tan CM, Beiswanger MA, Gaines DJ, Setcos JC, Palenik CJ. Cleaning dental instruments: measuring the effectiveness of an instrument washer/disinfector. Am J Dent. 2000 Feb;13(1):39-43.
McCarthy GM, Ssali CS, Bednarsh H, Jorge J, Wangrangsimakul K, Page-Shafer K. Transmission of HIV in the dental clinic and elsewhere. Oral Dis. 2002;8 Suppl 2:126-35.
Ayatollahi J, Ayatollahi F, Ardekani AM, Bahrololoomi R, Ayatollahi J, Ayatollahi A, Owlia MB. Occupational hazards to dental staff. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2012 Jan;9(1):2-7
Habib S, Shaikh OS. Hepatitis B immune globulin. Drugs Today (Barc). 2007 Jun;43(6):379-94.
Villani FA, Aiuto R, Paglia L, Re D. COVID-19 and Dentistry: Prevention in Dental Practice, a Literature Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jun 26;17(12)