1. Disease Transmission In Dentistry Dr. Shahzadi Tayyaba Hashmi

2. DISEASE TRANSMISSION Germs are the main cause of disease
Germs are also termed as microorganisms or pathogens
When these germs multiply, they become diseases . Diseases can be transmitted only in a distinct pathway. This pathway is known as chain of infection

3. Chain of infection

4. CHAIN OF INFECTION The chain of infection contains four links:
Virulence
Number of microorganisms
Susceptible host
Portal of entry
All of these must be present for the individual to become infected with a disease. If one of these is missing, the disease cannot be transmitted

5. CHAIN OF INFECTION Virulence:
The virulence of an organism is its strength or ability to cause disease
The more virulent the organism, the more serious the disease
Number of microorganisms:
The number of microorganisms describes the amount of pathogens present.
A large number of pathogens will destroy the body immune system and diminish the body’s ability to fight off the pathogens

6. CHAIN OF INFECTION Susceptible Host:
A susceptible host is someone who has a compromised immune system. This means that this person has a disease already, is currently undergoing treatment for a condition, has not been getting enough rest or under stress
These things can suppress a person’s immune system and cause her or him to be more susceptible to an illness or disease
Portal of entry:
A portal of entry is the way in which an infection enters the body

7. MODES OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION
An infectious disease is one that is contagious and can be transmitted from host to host via the chain of infection
Diseases are transmitted in one of the following five modes of transmission:
Direct Transmission
Indirect Transmission
Airborne Transmission
Aerosol, spray or splatter transmission
Blood-Borne transmission

8. MODES OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION
Direct transmission:
Direct contact with infected blood, saliva or other potentially infectious materials
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in preventing transmission
Indirect transmission:
This route of transmission occurs when the dental healthcare professional comes in contact with a contaminated surface without the protection of PPE
3. Airborne transmission:
Occurs through modes of inhalation
For example, a patient sneezes, and another inhales some spores that may be present in the sneeze
Many serious diseases spread via air

9. MODES OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION
4. Aerosol, Spray or Splatter:
This route of transmission is a form of airborne transmission
Aerosol is generated by the use of the high-speed hand piece in the mouth
An aerosol mist is emitted from the oral cavity, which is contaminated with patient’s bacteria
Spray and splatter follow the same form and occurs in patient’s mouth contaminating the surrounding area
Blood-Borne transmission:
Occurs only from blood-to-blood contact with an infected individual
Many diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, are transmitted in this way
The most common transmission is through needle-stick injury

10. DISEASE TRANSMISSION IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
All members of the dental healthcare team should be concerned about disease transmission in the dental office
Dental professionals call this cross-contamination
Cross-contamination refers to germs within or from dental setting being transmitted to other areas of the dental office or carried out of the dental sitting
This can occur in a number of ways , including patient to patient, healthcare worker to patient, patient to healthcare worker and healthcare worker to community

11. DISEASE TRANSMISSION IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
1. Patient to patient:
Cross contamination can occur from patient to patient by not changing PPE between patients, by not properly disinfecting the treatment room, and by not properly sterilizing the dental instruments
The germs and bacteria are then introduced into a new host causing a “crossing” of infection

12. DISEASE TRANSMISSION IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
2. Healthcare worker to patient:
The patient and dental healthcare worker sit in a very close proximity to one another
Therefore, it is possible for the dental healthcare worker to transmit microorganisms to the patient unintentionally
It is important to use fresh PPE for each patient
This includes a new pair of disposable gloves, a new disposable mask, a clean and
disinfected safety glasses
Hand washing is always an
important aspect of infection control

13. DISEASE TRANSMISSION IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
3. Patient to health care worker:
Patient can also transmit microorganisms to the dental healthcare team
The same precautions as above should be followed by the dental healthcare team to prevent the transmission of microorganisms
4. Healthcare worker to community:
The dental healthcare worker may unintentionally transmit contaminants from dental office into the community
Care should be taken by the dental healthcare worker to avoid this by changing and laundering contaminated clothes properly prior leaving to dental office

14. Cross contamination in dental office

15. Cross contamination in dental office

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