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Question 1

Describe the structure of prokaryotes

Answer 1

Lack membrane bound nucleus and other internal structures

Question 2

Describe the structure of viruses

Answer 2

Contains one types of nucleic acid, rely completely on the host for energy production and protein synthesis.
They can only replicate inside hosts that they infect.

Question 3

Describe the structure of fungi

Answer 3

Nucleus is surrounded by a double membrane, and normally contains one nucleolus. The other organelles are found in the cytoplasm.

Question 4

What is the difference between pathogenic and non-pathogenic?

Answer 4

Pathogenic - Able to spread disease/cause infection
Non-pathogenic - Unable to spread disease/cause infection

Question 5

What are the different types of handwashing?

Answer 5

Social - to become physically clean from socially acquired micro-organisms, using general purpose liquid soap
Hygienic (clinical) - to destroy micro-organisms, maintain cleanliness and avoid direct cross-infection, using an approved antibacterial hand cleanser
Surgical - to significantly reduce the numbers of normally resident micro-organisms on the hands before an invasive surgical procedure is carried out, using an approved antibacterial cleanser

Question 6

What is the chain of infection and how do we break it?

Answer 6

Infectious agent
Source
Exit
Means of transmission
Portal of entry
Susceptible host

Break by:
Controlling or limiting agent at the source of transmission
Protecting portals of entry
Increasing hosts defences

Question 7

What are the different types of autoclaves and how do they differ?

Answer 7

N-type: Passive air remover from the steriliser chamber (downwards displacement) by steam. Solid items including handpieces. NO POUCHES
B-type: Active (forced/vacuum) air removal using a vacuum pump. WRAPPED or UNWRAPPED items solid and hollow items.
S-type: Active (forced) air removal by, for example, steam pulsing. Only suitable for the types of loads specified by the steriliser manufacturer.

Question 8

What is the purpose of an ultrasonic bath?

Answer 8

The ultrasonic bath uses sonic waves to remove debris and disinfect soiled instruments.

Question 9

What is the process of instrument disinfection?

Answer 9

Cleaning (manual scrubbing)
Inspection
Disinfection
Inspection
Sterilisation

Question 10

What are the tests completed on an autoclave?

Answer 10

Steam penetration test
Helix test

Question 10

What are the validation tests completed on an ultrasonic bath?

Answer 10

Protein test
Foil test
Efficacy foil test

Question 11

What is legionella?

Answer 11

Legionella bacteria is commonly found in water - they commonly multiply in temperatures between 20° and 45° if nutrients are available.
Bacteria are dormant below 20° and don’t survive above 60°
Legionnaires is a type of pneumonia

Question 12

How to we control and prevent legionella growth?

Answer 12

Remove dead ends in pipework to prevent stagnant water from residing in pipes.
Flush out pipework at least weekly
Flush dental chair water lines for 2 minutes twice a day
Temperature checks of water systems and ultrasonic baths

Question 13

Define disinfection

Answer 13

The process of cleaning something, especially with a chemical, in order to destroy bacteria

Question 14

Define sterilisation

Answer 14

The procedure of destroying all micro-organisms

Question 15

What are the most common antibiotics in dentistry and what are they used to treat?

Answer 15

Amoxicillin - dental abscess
Metronidazole - periodontal abscess
Clindamycin - allergic to penicillin