Our Commitment to Your Safety

At our Dental Hygiene Clinic, your safety is our top priority. We follow strict infection control procedures based on national guidelines to ensure a clean, safe, and professional environment for every patient.

What Are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms found in blood that can cause disease. Examples include:

• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Hepatitis C (HCV)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

These organisms can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or certain body fluids. [osha.gov]

How Do We Prevent the Spread of Infection?

Our clinic follows Standard Precautions, which are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This means:

• Every patient is treated using the same high level of infection control
• All blood and body fluids are considered potentially infectious
• Protective measures are used at all times during patient care [cdc.gov]

Because a person may not know they are carrying an infection, these precautions are applied consistently for everyone.

What You Can Expect in Our Clinic

To protect you and our students and staff, we follow strict infection control procedures, including:

• Thorough hand hygiene before and after every patient
• Use of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and gowns)
• Proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of instruments
• Safe handling and disposal of sharps (needles and other instruments)
• Cleaning and disinfecting all clinical surfaces between patients
• Proper disposal of medical waste

These steps help prevent the spread of infection and ensure a safe care environment.

Compliance with National Standards

Our clinic follows guidelines and regulations set by:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — protects healthcare workers and patients from exposure to infectious materials
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — provides evidence-based infection control recommendations for dental settings

These standards require dental clinics to implement safety programs, including exposure control plans, training, and protective equipment. [osha.gov]

Your Role in Safety

We encourage patients to:

• Share accurate medical history information
• Inform us of any health concerns or conditions
• Follow instructions provided during your visit

Working together helps maintain a safe environment for everyone.

A Safe Environment for Care

When proper infection control procedures are followed, the risk of disease transmission in dental settings is extremely low.

Our program is committed to providing safe, high-quality care to every patient while maintaining the highest standards of infection prevention.