Infection control for dental assistants: what you need to know

The guidelines

Dental practices follow the Dental Board of Australia's guidelines on infection control, which refer to the NHMRC infection control guidelines and Australian standards for reprocessing reusable instruments.

Day to day

• Wear PPE for every procedure: gloves, mask, protective eyewear and a gown or apron.
• Change gloves and clean your hands between patients.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces between patients, and barrier-protect hard-to-clean ones.
• Handle sharps carefully and dispose of them at the point of use.
• Follow the practice's procedures for instrument reprocessing.

Getting started

Your practice will train you on its sterilisation room and equipment. A foundation course helps you arrive understanding why each step matters.