We continued our look into infection control in a dental clinic, specifically in regards to bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are obviously of concern in a dental setting (as it is in any healthcare setting), since there are a number of vectors by which viruses can be transmitted. The main culprits include needle sticks, cuts from burs, flying spittle, and to a lesser extent scalpel cuts.
The main viruses of concern in a dental setting include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. Overall, the risk of contracting the diseases is very low. Hepatitis B is the main culprit: a study found that a needle stick that was used on a patient who is HBV-positive and is positive for the E-antigen is roughly 37-62% at risk for virus transmission. Without the E-antigen, it drops to about 23-27%. HCV has a risk factor of 1.8% and HIV has a risk factor of only 0.3%
These low risk factor numbers are due to the fact that the gauge of the needles used in dentistry are relatively small. These means that the average number of viruses entering one's bloodstream through a needle stick is relatively small. With HIV, there has been no documented cases of a dentist getting the HIV virus from a patient; however, there is a questionable case of a dentist giving the HIV virus to a patient years back. The higher transmission rates of HBV can be combated through vaccination.
There are a number of other viruses and bacteria that can be transmitted in a dental setting, including Influenza, Mumps,Measles, Strep and Staph infections, Herpes, Tuberculosis, etc. That's why it is important to use standard precautions and other infection controls in order to minimize possible risk.
We also briefly talked about HIPAA. Long story short, HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and it is the law which governs dentists to protect confidential information that they collect from their patients.
Gross Anatomy I
Today's lecture continued our look at the different anatomical parts of the heart. The right atrium and right ventricle are separated by a tricuspid valve, which has its cusps held shut by chordae tendineae, which in turn are attached to papillary muscles. The left atrium and right ventricle are separated by a bicuspid valve (commonly known at the mitral valve). The right ventricle is C-shaped and thin-walled, while the left ventricle is circular and thick-walled (requires more contraction force to pump blood through whole systemic vessels). The valve of the aorta is made up of three cusps, with two openings to coronary arteries just on the other side. This allows blood to passively flow and oxygenate the heart.
Today's lecture continued our look at the different anatomical parts of the heart. The right atrium and right ventricle are separated by a tricuspid valve, which has its cusps held shut by chordae tendineae, which in turn are attached to papillary muscles. The left atrium and right ventricle are separated by a bicuspid valve (commonly known at the mitral valve). The right ventricle is C-shaped and thin-walled, while the left ventricle is circular and thick-walled (requires more contraction force to pump blood through whole systemic vessels). The valve of the aorta is made up of three cusps, with two openings to coronary arteries just on the other side. This allows blood to passively flow and oxygenate the heart.
Conduction of the heart is regulated by the vagus nerve, which innervates the sinoatrial node -> atrioventricular node -> atrioventricular bundle (Bundle of His) -> Bundle branches -> Purkinje fibers.
The anterior mediastinum consists primarly of two structures: thymus gland and the internal thoracic vessels.
I will continue this more tomorrow. Exam.
Gross Anatomy Lab
Long story short, we removed the lungs and heart, and identified local vessels and nerves.
Long story short, we removed the lungs and heart, and identified local vessels and nerves.
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