Infection control
As a registered dental practitioner, you have a legal obligation to comply with the Dental Board of Australia (the Board) requirements when it comes to infection prevention and control.
The DBA acknowledges that dental practitioners will seek guidance from their professional association for standards expected to be applied in practice. The ADA publishes the Guidelines for Infection and Prevention Control to assist dental practitioners in applying complex information from national standards, guidelines and handbooks into dental practice.
Documentation
ADA recommends practices have the following documents in either hard copy or electronic form:
ADA’s Guidelines for Infection and prevention Control
This publication synthesises infection control information from National Guidance and Standards for practical application in a dental context.
An infection and prevention control manual
This manual outlines your infection control protocols and procedures so that all team members are aware of the requirements in your work setting. The ADA provides members with an Infection Control Manual Template (downloadable below in publications list) to assist in creating your own customised manual.
Dental Board of Australia Code (DBA) code and resources
The DBA code of Conduct, Infection Control Fact Sheet and Reflective Tool can be found at the Dental Board of Australia
Australian Standards
The relevant Standard is selected based on the specifics of your practice and can be purchased here www.standards.org.au
The AS/NZS 4815: [Current Edition] Office-based health care facilities: Reprocessing of reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment [Dental practitioners work under AS/NZS 4815 unless they work within an organisation that operates under AS/NZS 4187 as below].
OR
The AS/NZS 4187: [Current Edition] Reprocessing of reusable medical devices in health service organisations.
Please note: These Standards apply across various health professions and are currently under review. New guidance will be published by the ADA when the amended Standard(s) become available.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines
Australian Immunisation Handbook
The Communicable Diseases Network of Australian (CDNA)
The CDNA also produces guidelines to help public health units respond to disease outbreaks including but not limited to Covid-19.
Local Requirements
You may also be required to comply with local state infection control requirements (for example, Queensland practices must also have an infection control management plan). Please reach out to your ADA branch to discuss your local requirements.
It is imperative that all staff understand the importance of the infection control procedures and why they must follow them exactly and consistently. The onus remains, however, on you as the registered dental practitioner to ensure that the infection control procedures are in place and are routinely followed.
To ask the ADA Infection Control Committee a question, search for frequently asked infection control questions or to ask your fellow ADA colleagues for advice, please jump on to Peer.
Keep updated
In order to ensure that your knowledge of infection control procedures is current, you’re encouraged to regularly undertake continuing professional development that specifically focuses on infection control. Each year dental practitioners must renew their registration and make a declaration that they are compliant with DBA requirements. Before doing so, you should ensure your infection control documentation and protocols are up to date.
The ADA will continue to provide peer reviewed information to help members protect the public from transmission of infections in a dental setting and to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
The full suite of ADA infection control publications and links to other helpful resources can be found via the links provided below.
Supporting resources
Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control
Download PDFGuidelines for Infection Prevention and Control
Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control.
January 01, 2021
Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control
Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control.
January 01, 2021
Infection control manual
Download DOCInfection control manual
This manual is designed to assist dental practices in implementing and maintaining high standards of infection control, in line with national infection control guidelines and the Australian Safety and Quality Goals for Health Care.
February 16, 2023
Infection control manual
This manual is designed to assist dental practices in implementing and maintaining high standards of infection control, in line with national infection control guidelines and the Australian Safety and Quality Goals for Health Care.
February 16, 2023
Practical Guide to Infection Control
Download PDFPractical Guide to Infection Control
This publication outlines the most effective practical procedures for implementing the ADA’s Infection Control Guidelines in a dental practice.
July 01, 2015
Practical Guide to Infection Control
This publication outlines the most effective practical procedures for implementing the ADA’s Infection Control Guidelines in a dental practice.
July 01, 2015
Self-Assessment Tool for Infection Control
Download PDFSelf-Assessment Tool for Infection Control
This practical tool, which is best used in conjunction with ADA’s Guidelines for Infection Control, is designed to help dental practitioners identify issues around infection control within their practice.
February 01, 2023
Self-Assessment Tool for Infection Control
This practical tool, which is best used in conjunction with ADA’s Guidelines for Infection Control, is designed to help dental practitioners identify issues around infection control within their practice.
February 01, 2023
AS/NZS 4815 by Standards Australia
- An integral component of the Dental Board of Australia Guidelines for Infection Control, and hence, the ADA Guidelines for Infection Control, AS/NZS 4815:2006, which covers office-based health care facilities, applies to the vast majority of dental practices.
AS/NZS 4187 by Standards Australia
- An integral component of the Dental Board of Australia Guidelines for Infection Control, and hence, the ADA Guidelines for Infection Control, AS/NZS 4187:2004, applies to larger health organisations such as hospitals and public dental clinics.
Guidelines on Infection Control by the Dental Board of Australia
Visit LinkGuidelines on Infection Control by the Dental Board of Australia
Guidelines on Infection Control by the Dental Board of Australia
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare by the National Health and Medical Research Council
Visit LinkAustralian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare by the National Health and Medical Research Council
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare by the National Health and Medical Research Council
Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease Infection Control Guidelines by the Department of Health and Ageing
Visit LinkCreutzfeldt Jacob Disease Infection Control Guidelines by the Department of Health and Ageing
Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease Infection Control Guidelines by the Department of Health and Ageing
The Australian Immunisation Handbook by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation
Visit LinkThe Australian Immunisation Handbook by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation
The Australian Immunisation Handbook by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation
Guidelines for the Management of Health Care Workers known to be Infected with Blood-Borne Viruses by the Department of Health
Visit LinkGuidelines for the Management of Health Care Workers known to be Infected with Blood-Borne Viruses by the Department of Health
Guidelines for the Management of Health Care Workers known to be Infected with Blood-Borne Viruses by the Department of Health
New equipment template
Download DOCNew equipment template
This template has been designed to assist practices with the safe use of equipment, instruments, and products. It is intended to provide a brief overview for practitioners and staff to assist them to quickly locate key information relating to operation and safe use.
October 24, 2019
New equipment template
This template has been designed to assist practices with the safe use of equipment, instruments, and products. It is intended to provide a brief overview for practitioners and staff to assist them to quickly locate key information relating to operation and safe use.
October 24, 2019
Infection Control Declaration
Visit LinkInfection Control Declaration
Infection Control Declaration