Ethics & Infection Control

A 6-year-old needs an extraction; her mother consents, but the father arrives and refuses. There is no emergency.

A 74-year-old with mild dementia understands the risks/benefits of a simple filling and can repeat them back.

An adult refuses recommended extraction after being informed of risks, including infection spread. He chooses antibiotics only.

A coughing patient has suspected active pulmonary TB and requests routine scaling today.

A hygienist sustains a needlestick from a patient of unknown status.

High-speed handpieces were wiped with disinfectant between patients but not sterilized.

A clinic sets the steam autoclave to 121°C (250°F). What is a correct cycle for wrapped loads?

How often should biological (spore) monitoring of sterilizers be performed in a busy dental clinic?

After a cycle, the internal chemical indicator did not change color, but the external tape did.

A blood-contaminated operatory surface needs cleaning.

Dental unit water testing shows 1,200 CFU/mL heterotrophic bacteria.

A fully vaccinated clinician (documented anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL) sustains a needlestick from an HBsAg-positive source.

An assistant exposed to possible HIV during a sharps injury asks about PEP timing.

After a procedure with splatter, a clinician removes gloves first, then eye protection, then gown, then mask, performing hand hygiene at the end.

During an AGP on a febrile patient with suspected airborne infection, which protection is appropriate?

Single-use air/water syringe tips are found soaking in disinfectant for reuse.

How should amalgam scrap and extracted teeth with amalgam be handled?

A patient requests all records and radiographs.

Posting before/after photos on a clinic social media page is planned.

A supplier offers expensive gifts in exchange for exclusive product use and promotion to patients.

You anesthetize the wrong quadrant but realize before drilling; the patient felt unnecessary numbness.

A limited-English speaker attends with a teenage child who offers to translate complex consent.

A friend texts for an antibiotic for tooth pain; you have not examined him.

A dentist considers writing a controlled-substance prescription for herself after surgery.

New staff onboarding: which immunization is essential for clinical dental personnel?

Hands appear visibly soiled after removing gloves.

Multi-dose anesthetic vials are used for several patients.

Sterilized packs are stored in a closed cabinet; how long are they sterile?

You suspect child abuse after noting unexplained injuries in a pediatric patient.

An unconscious adult with facial trauma arrives without an available surrogate; uncontrolled bleeding requires emergent extraction and suturing.