Infection Control Considerations

As part of source control efforts, DHCP should wear a facemask at all times while they are in the dental setting.

• When available, surgical masks are generally preferred over cloth face coverings for DHCP because surgical masks offer both source control and protection for the wearer against exposure to splashes and sprays of infectious material from others.
• Cloth face coverings should NOT be worn instead of a respirator or facemask if more than source control is required.
• Some DHCP whose job duties do not require PPE (such as clerical personnel) should continue to wear their cloth face covering for source control while in the dental setting.
• Other DHCP (such as dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants) may wear their cloth face covering when they are not engaged in direct patient care activities and then switch to a respirator or a surgical mask when PPE is required.
• DHCP should remove their respirator or surgical mask and put on their cloth face covering when leaving the facility at the end of their shift.
• DHCP should also be instructed that if they must touch or adjust their mask or cloth face covering they should perform hand hygiene immediately before and after.
• Dental facilities should provide DHCP with job-specific training on PPE and have them demonstrate competency with selection and proper use (putting on and removing without self-contamination).

Because cloth face coverings can become saturated with respiratory secretions, DHCP should take steps to prevent self-contamination:

• DHCP should change the coverings if they become soiled, damp, or hard to breathe through.
• Coverings should be laundered daily and when soiled.
• DHCP should perform hand hygiene immediately before and after any contact with the cloth face covering.
• Dental facilities should provide DHCP with training about when, how, and where cloth face coverings can be used including frequency of laundering, guidance on when to replace, circumstances when they can be worn in the facility, and the importance of hand hygiene to prevent contamination.