Infection Prevention and Control Unit
The Infection Prevention and Control Unit is a core pillar within the Faculty of Dentistry, dedicated to ensuring the safety of patients, students, and healthcare staff within the college and its clinics. The unit is responsible for implementing and monitoring infection prevention and control policies and procedures in teaching clinics, laboratories, and academic facilities, thereby ensuring a safe educational and clinical environment for students, faculty members, staff, and patients, in accordance with approved national and international standards.
Vision, Mission, and Objectives
Vision:
Leadership in creating a healthy environment free from infection risks that supports academic and clinical practice and excellence in implementing the highest standards of infection prevention and control in dental education and clinical practice, thereby enhancing patient safety and the quality of healthcare.
Mission:
The unit is committed to developing and implementing effective infection prevention and control systems, promoting a culture of safety and prevention, and applying evidence-based policies to protect all users of the college’s facilities, including faculty members, administrative staff, students, and patients. This commitment aligns with professional and ethical standards and supports the quality of education and clinical practice within the college.
Objectives:
- Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control policies and procedures across all college facilities.
- Protect students, faculty members, administrative staff, employees, and patients from infection risks.
- Promote a culture of occupational safety and infection prevention and control in educational and clinical environments.
- Monitor compliance with sterilization, hygiene, and equipment safety standards.
- Support the quality of clinical education in accordance with accreditation and quality requirements.
- Respond effectively to occupational exposure incidents and infection risks.
Infection Prevention and Control Policies
- Standard Precautions Policy
- Hand Hygiene Policy
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy
- Respiratory and Cough Etiquette Policy
- Sharps Safety and Disposal Policy
- Safe Injection Practices Policy
- Sterilization of Patient Care Items Policy
- Sterilization Monitoring Policy
- Storage and Shelf-Life of Sterile Items Policy
- Opening of Instrument Packages Policy
- Environmental Surfaces Infection Control Policy
- Transporting Contaminated Items Policy
- Treatment of Dental Unit Waterlines Policy
- Waste Management Policy
- Management of Extracted Teeth and Excisional Tissues Policy
- Infection Control in Dental Radiography Policy
- Water Quality Monitoring Policy
- Infection Control in Dental Laboratory and Prosthodontics Policy
- Infection Control in Endodontics Policy
- Aseptic Techniques Policy
- Infection Control in Conservative Dentistry Policy
- Management of Amalgam and Chemical Waste Policy
- Oral Surgical Procedures Policy
- Dental Handpieces and Device Attachments Policy
- Single-Use Devices Policy
- Clinical Asepsis Policy
- Transmission-Based Precautions Policy
- Immunizations for Dental Healthcare Personnel Policy
- Management of Occupational Exposure Incidents Policy
- Tuberculosis Considerations in Dental Settings Policy
- Patient Screening and Evaluation Policy
Unit Activities
- Developing and updating infection prevention and control policies and procedures adopted by the college.
- Supervising the implementation of sterilization, disinfection, and medical waste management procedures.
- Organizing training courses and workshops on infection prevention and patient safety.
- Monitoring compliance with the use of personal protective equipment.
- Monitoring water quality, environmental surfaces, and medical instruments in teaching clinics.
- Documenting and following up on occupational exposure incidents and needlestick injuries.
- Coordinating with relevant authorities and units within and outside the university