Decontamination and Disinfection in Dental Settings

Overview

The information in this learning activity was written by Stephanie Carter RDN, RDT, RDH, CTLLS and edited by Karen Atkinson PhD

Dental Nurse Network's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is created by a network of dental nurses and other dental care professionals dedicated to professional growth for dental nurses. Our writers hold relevant qualifications including nationally recognised lifelong learning (CPD) teaching qualifications.

About the author:

Varnish App tutorStephanie Carter RDT, RDH, DTLLS

Registered Dental Hygienist and Therapist: 119601

Qualifications: Diploma Dental Hygiene and Therapy, National Certificate Dental Nursing, Level 3 Award in Education and Training, Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, NEBDN Certificate Dental Radiography, ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management, Smoking Cessation Counselling Levels 1 and 2, Young Counsellors Certificate

Development Outcomes

GDC Development Outcomes met: C, D

The aim of this activity is to enable you to review and update your knowledge and understanding of disinfection and decontamination in relation to current best practice guidelines. It will cover:

  • A review of relevant microbiology.
  • Transmission of pathogens.
  • Relevant guidance – Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-05.
  • Practice policy requirements.
  • Training requirements for staff in decontamination, including Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

CPD Activity

CPD march 2018This e-learning CPD activity requires you to read information and answer test questions with a 80% pass required. You have unlimited attempts available to pass this activity. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded one hour of verifiable CPD. Please go to the learning record to view the CPD information again, your certificates and review your answers. 

Take your time reading and answering the questions. You should consider taking notes. If you rush, you are unlikely to pass and it will take longer to re-take the activity.

 

You are not allowed to access the quiz.

References

Regulations:

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) [available online] www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/

Medical Devices Regulations 2002 [available online] www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/618/contents/made

Official Guidance and Codes of Practice:

Department of Health (2013). Decontamination: Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices (2013 Edition). London, Department of Health.

Department of Health (2015). The Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance (updated 2015). London, Department of Health.

General Dental Council (2013). Standards for the Dental Team. Department of Health (2009). 

Bibliography

American Dental Association, Oral Health Topics; Dental Unit Waterlines. Centre for Science Information, ADA Science Institute. (updated 2017) [available online]. www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/dental-unit-waterlines

Hollins, C. (2013). Levison's Textbook for Dental Nurses (11th Edition).

Resources

GDC Standards

HTM 01-05

Quality Assurance

This CPD activity is internally moderated by Emma Leather RDN, IQA, TAQA, PTLLS.

Emma holds a Level 4 National Certificate in Internal Quality Assurance (IQA). View certificate here.

Dental Nurse Network is a signatory to the BDIA CPD Code of Practice requiring DNN adhere to the code and send quality control records to the BDIA bi-annually. 

Dental Nurse Network Certificates are accepted by the General Dental Council.

All CPD material meets the GDC guidelines for verifiable CPD activity, including:

  • clear learning outcomes
  • concise educational aims and objectives  
  • clear anticipated outcomes
  • content meets GDC Standards 
  • quality controls