APSIC dental infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Public Health
• Dental Hygiene

Background:

• The Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control released comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines in July 2022.
• These guidelines focus on establishing safe practices within dental settings.
• The primary aim is to provide practical, concise recommendations for dental facilities in the Asia Pacific region to achieve high standards in infection prevention and control, ensuring staff and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the newly developed Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for dental facilities in the Asia Pacific region.
• To offer practical recommendations for enhancing infection control measures.
• To support dental facilities in achieving optimal staff and patient safety.

Main Methods:

• Development by a workgroup of Asia Pacific regional experts.
• Informed by reviews of existing international guidelines and recommendations.
• Focus on practical application and concise formatting for accessibility.

Main Results:

• Recommends standard precautions as essential for staff protection and preventing cross-transmission.
• Advocates for surgical aseptic technique in complex or lengthy procedures.
• Stipulates that only trained personnel should reprocess dental instruments.
• Highlights the importance of facility design and layout for effective infection prevention.
• Emphasizes the necessity of a Pandemic Preparedness Plan for dental facilities.

Conclusions:

• Dental facilities must strive for excellence in infection prevention and control as a critical component of patient safety.
• The guidelines include a checklist to aid facilities in identifying areas for improvement and achieving higher standards.
• Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for maintaining a safe healthcare environment.