Standard Precautions: Simple Steps That Make a Big Difference

Infection control is part of everyday dental care, but it’s often routine tasks where lapses occur. That’s why standard precautions remain so important. When used consistently, they help protect patients, staff, and the dental office from preventable exposures to infectious agents.

What Are Standard Precautions?

Standard precautions are infection control practices recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are required under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. The basic idea is simple: treat all blood and saliva as potentially infectious, no matter who the patient is or how healthy they appear. In dentistry, this means using the same level of protection for every patient, every time. 

Why Consistency Matters

Dental procedures involve close contact, sharp instruments, and aerosols, making exposure risks unavoidable. Skipping steps like proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, or safe sharps handling can quickly lead to cross-contamination or employee exposures. 

The Basics That Prevent Lapses

Consistently following standard precautions includes:

• Washing hands before and after patient care
• Wearing appropriate PPE (gloves, masks, eyewear, gowns)
• Handling and disposing of sharps safely
• Properly cleaning, sterilizing, and disinfecting instruments
• Cleaning and disinfecting clinical contact surfaces between patients

These simple steps go a long way in preventing infection control breakdowns and protect dental team members and patients alike. They also help dental offices stay compliant with OSHA and CDC requirements and reduce the risk of citations, complaints, or liability. 

The Takeaway

Standard precautions aren’t complicated, but they do require consistency. When they become second nature, dental offices create a safer environment for everyone. Doing the basics well, for every patient and every day, is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection control lapses and to maintain a safe and healthy dental office.

OSHA Review, Inc. a registered continuing education provider in the State of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and Cal/OSHA training. OSHA Review subscribers in California receive updated regulatory compliance and infection control training thorough our bi-monthly newsletter.