The Clean Bite: Real Talk About Infection Control – Creating an Effective Dental Infection Prevention Training Program

Let’s be honest: When most people hear “infection prevention training,” their eyes glaze over. It sounds like one of those mandatory things you check off once a year, right? But in a dental office, infection control isn’t just a box to check; it’s the backbone of keeping our patients safe, our team healthy, and our practice running smoothly.

How do we make infection prevention training something that actually sticks, makes sense, and feels a little empowering? Let’s break it down.

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) recently released recommendations for a Dental Assisting Professional Model and has very clear recommendations for infection control training for DAs that begins on day 1 of employment.

Why It Matters More Than You Think

Every day in a dental office, we work in close quarters with patients, using sharp instruments, interacting with blood, other potentially infectious materials (aka saliva), and generating aerosols. That’s a recipe for potential exposure to all kinds of pathogens—think hepatitis, HIV, COVID-19, and even the common cold and flu. And it’s not just about protecting patients; it’s about protecting us too.

When infection control slips, the consequences can be serious: patient harm, staff illness, fines from OSHA/local inspectors, and damage to your reputation. That’s why training isn’t optional; it’s essential.

If you’re building or refreshing your infection prevention training program, here are the key areas to focus on:

Let’s Start with the Basics:

When Training Should Occur

Comprehensive training in infection prevention for dental health care personnel (DHCP).

• Training should cover the basic principles and practices for preventing the spread of infection.
• Education should be provided during orientation, starting day 1, when new tasks are introduced, and at least annually.
• Training records must be maintained in accordance with state and federal requirements.

What Should Training Cover?

A Foundation in Guidelines and Standards

A successful program begins with a thorough understanding of the CDC’s Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings and OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. These documents outline the minimum expectations for patient and workplace safety.

Training should cover:

• Standard precautions
• Transmission-based precautions
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations on hazard communication and exposure control
• CDC recommendations for sterilization, disinfection, and environmental safety

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Knowing how pathogens are transmitted, including modes of transmission, is the backbone of all comprehensive infection control training programs and must include all risk factors for each office position.

Hand Hygiene

It’s the simplest thing we do, but it’s also the most powerful. Make sure everyone knows when and how to wash their hands properly—and yes, there’s a right way to do it.

Training should include:

• Proper handwashing technique
• Use of alcohol-based hand rubs
• When to wash vs sanitize

Personal Protective Equipment

Masks, gloves, gowns, goggles: These aren’t just fashion accessories. Training should cover selecting appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), proper use, safe donning and doffing, when it should be replaced, and where NOT to wear PPE in the office (eg, the break room, front desk, or restroom).

Want more info on PPE? The Clean Bite is here for you: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Dental Professionals: A Layered Defense.

Instrument Reprocessing

This is a big one. Everyone involved in cleaning and sterilizing instruments needs to understand the full process, from cleaning and packaging to sterilization, handling, and storage. And don’t forget about monitoring sterilization cycles!

Surface Disinfection

Between patients, every surface needs attention with an Environmental Protection Agency-registered disinfectant. Training should cover which disinfectants to use, how long they must remain wet, how to clean high-touch areas, and the required PPE for safe handling. The product instructions for use are a great place to find these details.

Waterline Maintenance

Dental unit waterlines can harbor bacteria if not properly maintained. Staff should know how to test and treat waterlines regularly and follow manufacturer instructions. Want more info? Check out The Clean Bite: Real Talk About Infection Control: Dental Unit Water Line Safety

 Sharps Safety

Sharps injuries are no joke. Preventing needlestick injuries and proper disposal of biohazardous waste is critical:

• Safe handling of needles and scalpels
• Use of puncture-resistant containers

Waste Disposal

Know what goes into the red bag and what can be discarded in regular trays.

• Segregation of regulated medical waste & sharps
• Pharmaceutical waste

Make It Role-Specific

Not everyone in the office needs the same training. Tailor your program to fit each role:

• Dentists and hygienists need to focus on clinical procedures and patient interaction.
• Assistants should be experts in sterilization, disinfection, and operatory setup.
• Front desk staff need to understand patient screening, documentation, and emergency response, and, if they assist in clinical areas, training specific to those duties.

When training feels relevant, people pay attention.

Keep It Engaging (No More Snooze-Fest Slideshows)

Let’s ditch the endless PowerPoint slides and get creative:

• Hands-on demos: Practice putting on PPE, cleaning instruments, or setting up a sterile field. I love challenges and games here!
• Real-life scenarios: What would you do if a patient coughs mid-procedure? Or if someone gets a needlestick?
• Quizzes and games: A little friendly competition never hurts.
• Videos and visuals: Sometimes a short video can explain a concept better than a lecture.

The goal is to make training memorable and practical—not just theoretical.

Make It Ongoing, Not One-and-Done

Infection control isn’t static. Guidelines change, new risks emerge, and people forget things. That’s why training should be:

• Part of onboarding for every new team member starting on day 1
• Refreshed annually (at a minimum)
• Updated as needed when new protocols come out or when new duties are assigned
• Reinforced regularly with mini-trainings or quick reminders

Think of it like brushing your teeth: You wouldn’t do it once a year and call it good, right?

Create a Culture of Safety

Training works best when it’s part of a bigger picture. Here’s how to build a safety-first culture:

Appoint an Infection Control Coordinator

This person keeps everyone on track, answers questions, and makes sure protocols are followed. They’re your go-to for all things infection prevention.

Write It Down

Clear, written policies (standard operating procedures) help everyone stay consistent. Include things like your exposure control plan, sterilization procedures, and emergency protocols.

Encourage Feedback

If someone sees something that doesn’t look right, they should feel safe speaking up. Create a judgment-free zone where people can ask questions and suggest improvements.

Use the Right Tools and Resources

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There are great resources out there:

• Association for Dental Safety (ADS)

Check out this valuable resource that has recently taken over dental safety from the CDC.

• CDC’s online training modules (free and CE-eligible)
• Foundations: Building the Safest Dental Visit for the team
• CDC/States Targeting Reduction in Infections via Engagement (STRIVE) Infection Control Training for Safety Officers/Infection Control Coordinators
• ADA’s infection control guides
• Dental Assisting National Board/DALE Foundation’s certificate programs
• Interactive workbooks and checklists from dental safety organizations like CDC and ADS.

Mix and match these with your own in-office training to create a program that works for your team.

Measure Success

How do you know your training is working? Look for:

• Fewer incidents or exposures
• Better compliance with protocols
• Higher confidence among staff
• Positive feedback from patients

You can also do spot audits, track CE completion, and run quick assessments to keep everyone sharp.

A great audit tool is the CDC Dental Check APP. You can find this in your Apple Store or Google Play. This tool includes checklists and resources to support office audits, raise team awareness, and serve as training materials. I recommend adding an office-dedicated iPad or Android device so everyone is working from the same checklist. Easier to download usable reporting!

Final Thoughts

Infection prevention training doesn’t have to be boring or burdensome. When done right, it’s empowering. It gives your team the tools to protect themselves and your patients—and that’s something to be proud of.

So, whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to refresh your current program, remember it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, consistency, and care.

Let’s make our dental practices the safest places they can be—one training at a time.

Until next time, my friends—
Stay informed. Stay clean. Stay safe.

— Sherrie, The Clean Bite

For more information:

Association for Dental Safety (ADS) https://www.myads.org/

CDC’s Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Foundations: Building the Safest Dental Visit

CDC/STRIVE Infection Control Training

DANB Website Danb.org

Dental Assistant Professional Model: https://www.danb.org/career-center/dental-assisting-professional-model

The Clean Bite Water line safety https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/clean-bite-real-talk-infection-control-dental-unit-water-line-safety

PPE A layered defense https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/personal-protective-equipment-ppe-for-dental-professionals-a-layered-defense

DANB/DALE Foundation’s certificate programs

ADA’s infection control guides