Infection Prevention & Control in Dental Settings

Infection Control Spotlight

Our 2016 Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings is now available in Spanish! This document summarizes current infection prevention recommendations and includes a checklist that can be used to evaluate compliance. The information presented in the Summary is based primarily upon the previously published 2003 guidelines and represents infection prevention expectations for safe care in dental settings.

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Although the principles of infection control remain unchanged, new technologies, materials, equipment, and data require continuous evaluation of current infection control practices. The unique nature of many dental procedures, instruments, and patient care settings also may require specific strategies directed to preventing pathogen transmission among dental health care personnel and their patients.

CDC’s evidence-based recommendations guide infection control practices in dental offices nationally and globally; provide direction for the public, dental health care personnel and policymakers; and affect technology development in the dental industry.

Recommended infection control practices are applicable to all settings in which dental treatment is provided.