Section 246-817-620. Use of barriers and sterilization techniques.

The use of barriers and sterilization techniques is the primary means of assuring that there is the least possible chance of the transmission of communicable diseases from doctor and staff to patients, from patient to patient and from patient to doctor and staff. To prevent patient to patient cross contamination, instruments and supplies contaminated or likely to be contaminated with blood or saliva and touched during treatment must be sterilized between patients or discarded except as otherwise set forth below. Surfaces and equipment which are likely to be contaminated with blood or saliva and touched during treatment must be decontaminated or covered with a barrier which is discarded and replaced between patients except as otherwise set forth below:

(1) Dentists shall comply with the following barrier techniques:

(a) Gloves shall be used by the dentist and direct care staff during treatment which involves intra-oral procedures or contact with items potentially contaminated with the patient's bodily fluids. Fresh gloves shall be used for every intraoral patient contact. Gloves shall not be washed or reused for any purpose. The same pair of gloves shall not be used, removed, and reused for the same patient at the same visit or for any other purpose. Gloves that have been used for dental treatment shall not be reused for any nondental purpose.

(b) Masks shall be worn by the dentist and direct care staff when splatter or aerosol is likely. Masks shall be worn during surgical procedures except in those specific instances in which the dentist determines that the use of a mask would prevent the delivery of health care services or would increase the hazard and risk to his/her patient. In those circumstances where a dentist determines not to wear a mask during a surgical procedure, such determination shall be documented in the patient record.

(c) Unless effective surface decontamination methods are used, protective barriers shall be placed over areas of the dental operatory which are likely to be touched during treatment, not removable to be sterilized, and likely to be contaminated by blood or saliva. These procedures must be followed between each patient. These include but are not limited to:

(i) Delivery unit.

(ii) Chair controls (not including foot controls).

(iii) Light handles.

(iv) High volume evacuator and air-water syringe controls.

(v) X-ray heads and controls.

(vi) Head rest.

(vii) Instrument trays.

(viii) Low speed handpiece motors.

(d) Protective eyewear shall be worn by the dentist and direct care staff and offered to all patients during times when splatter or aerosol is expected.

(2) Dentists shall comply with the following sterilization requirements:

(a) Every dental office shall have the capability to ultrasonically clean and sterilize contaminated items by autoclave, dry heat, unsaturated formaldehyde/alcohol vapor (such as MDT Chemiclave®) or ethylene oxide. Sterilizers shall be tested by biological spore test on at least a weekly basis. In the event of a positive biological spore test, the dentist shall take immediate remedial action to ensure the objectives of (a) of this subsection are accomplished. Documentation shall be maintained either in the form of a log reflecting dates and person(s) conducting the testing or copies of reports from an independent testing entity. The documentation shall be maintained for a period of at least five years.

(b) The following items shall be sterilized by an appropriate autoclave, dry heat, unsaturated formaldehyde/alcohol vapor (such as MDT Chemiclave®) or ethylene oxide sterilization method between patients:

(i) Low speed handpiece contra angles, prophy angles and nose cone sleeves.

(ii) High speed handpieces.

(iii) Hand instruments.

(iv) Burs.

(v) Endodontic instruments.

(vi) Air-water syringe tips.

(vii) High volume evacuator tips.

(viii) Surgical instruments.

(ix) Sonic or ultrasonic periodontal scalers and tips.

(x) Surgical handpieces.

(c) Gross debris shall be removed from items prior to sterilization. Ultrasonic cleaning shall be used whenever possible.

(d) Nondisposable items used in patient care which cannot be autoclaved, dry heat, unsaturated formaldehyde/alcohol vapor (such as MDT Chemiclave®) or ethylene oxide sterilized shall be immersed in a chemical sterilant. If such a technique is used, the solution shall be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and used in accordance with the manufacturer's directions for sterilization.

(e) Items such as impressions contaminated with blood or saliva shall be thoroughly rinsed, placed in and transported to the dental laboratory in an appropriate case containment device that is properly sealed and labeled.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, § 246-817-620, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95.]

RCW 18.32.035. WSR 95-21-041, § 246-817-620, filed 10/10/95, effective 11/10/95.