INFECTION CONTROL

INFECTION CONTROL STANDARDS NOTICE TO REGISTRANTS

The New South Wales Dental Technicians Registration Board has received the following information from the NSW Health Department in response to specific enquiries related to infection control standards.

The NSW Health Department document Guidelines for the Handling, Storage and Disposal of Clinical and Related Waste details the groups of waste that are considered to be contaminated waste and the accepted methods of disposal.

Contaminated waste includes contaminated sharps, bulk body fluids, dressings and disposable linen heavily soiled with blood or body fluids, microbiological and pathological waste, and human and animal tissue. It is unlikely that dental prosthetists will generate waste falling within this definition of contaminated waste. In the context of these Guidelines "heavily soiled" infers that blood or body fluids can be easily squeezed from an item (or that the item is dripping with blood or body fluids).

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) sets out guidelines for the disposal of contaminated waste. These guidelines require incineration of contaminated waste.

Instrument and equipment entering, or capable of entering sterile tissue must be sterilised before use. These instruments and equipment include, for example, intra-oral dental handpieces and instruments used in invasive dental procedures. Instruments or equipment that come in contact with non-sterile tissue, such as mucous membranes, must be disinfected prior to use.

These instruments and equipment include, for example, dental mirrors and materials used for dental impressions.

If you have any queries please contact the:

Chief Health Officer
NSW Health Department
Locked Bag 961
North Sydney, NSW 2059