Question 1

Impressions that are sensitive to immersion should be rinsed, shaken to remove excess water, and then:

Accepted Answer

Impressions should be sprayed with a disinfectant and wrapped in a paper towel to ensure they are properly disinfected without damaging the material. Steam sterilization, boiling, or prolonged rinsing with hot water can distort or damage many impression materials.

Question 2

How should one decontaminate impressions that are distorted if submerged in a liquid?

Accepted Answer

Impressions that are distorted if submerged in a liquid should not be rinsed under running tap water or submerged in any liquid because this can cause further distortion. Instead, spraying with a disinfectant and wrapping with a towel moistened with the same disinfectant is a recommended method for decontaminating these materials without causing additional distortion. This method ensures that the impression material is exposed to the disinfectant for an adequate amount of time to be effective, while minimizing the risk of altering its dimensions or details.

Question 3

Although some x-ray film packets can be disinfected after removal from the patient's mouth, it is best to:

Accepted Answer

Covering x-ray film packets with a plastic pouch before they are placed in the patient's mouth is the best practice to prevent contamination. This method allows for effective infection control without damaging the films, as methods like steam sterilization or boiling could damage the films, and rinsing under tap water might not effectively prevent cross-contamination.

Question 4

Before sending a prosthesis to a dental laboratory, the prosthesis should be:

Accepted Answer

The prosthesis should be cleaned, disinfected, and rinsed before sending it to a dental laboratory to ensure that it is free of any bacteria or pathogens that could cause infections. Sterilization in a steam autoclave is not necessary unless the prosthesis has been contaminated with infectious material. Rinsing in water or scrubbing with a nonantimicrobial agent alone may not be sufficient to eliminate all bacteria and pathogens.

Question 5

Which of the following laboratory items can always be cleaned and heat sterilized?

Accepted Answer

Metal impression trays and face-bow forks are made of materials that can withstand heat sterilization, making them the best choice for items that can always be cleaned and sterilized. Impressions, prostheses, and bite registrations may not be able to withstand the heat sterilization process and require alternative methods of cleaning and sterilization.

Question 6

What is the main infection control tenet concerning laboratory receiving areas?

Accepted Answer

The main infection control tenet concerning laboratory receiving areas is that all items coming from patients' mouths must be sterilized or disinfected before being taken into the laboratory to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the safety of laboratory personnel.

Question 7

Which of the following cannot be disinfected?

Accepted Answer

The inside of the sleeves of a daylight loader cannot be disinfected because it is not accessible for cleaning and disinfection processes.

Question 8

The best way to manage films in a daylight loader is to:

Accepted Answer

The best way to manage films in a daylight loader is to insert only disinfected or uncontaminated film packets into the loader using fresh uncontaminated powder-free gloves, and proceed with developing. This minimizes the risk of contaminating the loader and the film. Using fresh gloves and disinfected film packets helps prevent cross-contamination between films.

Question 9

What should be done with the leftover polishing agents, such as rouge, after an appliance is polished?

Accepted Answer

Leftover polishing agents, such as rouge, should be disposed of after use. They cannot be effectively cleaned or sterilized for reuse, and keeping them could lead to contamination or degradation of their quality.

Question 10

The main rule of laboratory asepsis is that prostheses and appliances must be _____ before being handled in the laboratory.

Accepted Answer

The main rule of laboratory asepsis is that prostheses and appliances must be cleaned and disinfected before being handled in the laboratory to ensure that they are free of any infectious agents or contaminants that could affect the accuracy of the results or pose a risk to staff or patients. Heat sterilization may not be appropriate for all types of appliances, and rinsing with warm water alone may not be sufficient to eliminate all microorganisms. Therefore, cleaning and disinfection are the best choices.

Question 11

What should be done to decontaminate items that do not normally contact the patient (e.g., burs, stones, polishing points, case pans)?

Accepted Answer

Items that do not normally contact the patient but come in contact with instruments need to be cleaned and heat sterilized or disinfected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. It is important to follow the manufacturer's directions because using the wrong method may lead to ineffective sterilization or damage to the item.

Question 12

Which of the following is the best way to manage contamination of a daylight loader?

Accepted Answer

The best way to manage contamination of a daylight loader is to never contaminate the sleeves in the first place, as prevention is the most effective method for managing contamination.

Question 13

What is the best way to clean a heavily soiled denture?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasonic cleaning is effective for heavily soiled dentures as it utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create bubbles that clean hard-to-reach areas. Using an ultrasonic detergent in a zip-locked plastic bag or beaker can efficiently clean the denture. Boiling water or tap water is not recommended as it may damage the denture, and a shell blaster can be too abrasive and damage the surface of the denture.

Question 14

How should one manage the infection control of most digital radiographic sensors?

Accepted Answer

The best way to manage infection control of digital radiographic sensors is to cover them to prevent contamination when placed in the mouth. This can be done using disposable barriers. Heat sterilization and soaking in a liquid sterilant can damage the sensors and are not recommended. Rinsing with warm water between patients is not sufficient to prevent infection control.

Question 15

Disinfection of dental impressions should last _____ minutes.

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), disinfection of dental impressions should last for 15 minutes to effectively kill any pathogenic microorganisms present on the surface.

Question 16

How should one disinfect an impression that is sensitive to immersion?

Accepted Answer

Immersing a sensitive impression in liquid disinfectant may damage it. The best way to disinfect it is to spray it with a disinfectant and wrap it with a disinfectant-soaked towel. This will ensure that the disinfectant will come in contact with the impression's surface without causing any damage to it. Steam and dry heat sterilization may cause distortion to the impression, and brushing it with a liquid sterilant may not provide adequate surface coverage.

Quiz 16: Laboratory and Radiographic Asepsis