An Update on Infection Control & Asepsis in Endodontics

"A thorough understanding of the chain of infection helps health care professionals to deliver safe care and in turn enables appropriate measures to be taken in order to prevent transmission of infection". Dentists are exposed to a wide variety of potentially infectious microorganisms in their clinical environment. The protocols and procedures involved in the prevention and control of infection in dentistry are directed to reduce the possibility or risk of cross-infection occurring in the dental clinic. Infection control is very important in the health care profession. Today, infection control is a continuous concern for its professionals. We have to contact patients routinely and be exposed to their blood, saliva, dental plaque and pus that may contain infectious pathogens. It is important for the dental professionals, specially Endodontists, to treat these fluids as if they are infectious and take special precautions when handling them. "Infection is a common, but largely avoidable complication of healthcare".