Infection prevention must be made a priority in any dental health care setting. At least one individual with training in infection prevention — the infection prevention coordinator — should be responsible for developing written infection prevention policies and procedures based on evidence-based guidelines, regulations, or standards.

Current CDC and OSHA regulations require offices to develop and maintain written infection prevention policies and procedures appropriate for the services provided. I have developed a written job description for the infection prevention coordinator as well as written infection prevention policies for today’s orthodontic practices including:

1. Hand hygiene

2. Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear)

3. Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette

4. Sharps safety (engineering and work practice controls)

5. Infection control policy

6. Sterile instruments and devices

7. Clean and disinfected environmental surfaces

8. Exposure control plan

9. Hazard communication protocol

10. Fire prevention and emergency evacuation plan

11. Waste management plan