DANB CDIPC study guide
DANB CDIPC · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control (CDIPC) is a DANB credential focused specifically on infection prevention and control in the dental setting. It is intended for dental professionals - including assistants, hygienists, and others on the clinical team - who want to demonstrate specialized knowledge in this area rather than general clinical assisting skills. The DANB CDIPC study guide has 5 sections and about 2,974 words.
01Infection Prevention and Control Program Management and Leadership
An infection prevention and control (IPC) program is a written, resourced, audited system - not a set of personal habits. A candidate must know its required elements: a designated IPC coordinator with defined authority; a written exposure control plan; review and update at least annually; a risk assessment tied to the procedures the practice actually performs; training and documented competency at hire and annually; an offer of hepatitis B vaccination; a post-exposure evaluation and follow-up protocol; a sharps injury log; and defined recordkeeping.
318 words, about 2 min02Standard Precautions, Hand Hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment
Standard precautions are the baseline: all blood, all body fluids, secretions and excretions (except sweat), nonintact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as potentially infectious regardless of a patient's diagnosis, history, or appearance. Saliva in dental settings is an other potentially infectious material (OPIM).
637 words, about 3 min03Instrument Processing, Sterilization and Disinfection
Instrument processing is a serial chain in which each link protects the next: transport in a closed labeled container (never loose in a pocket); cleaning to remove bioburden; rinsing and drying; inspection; packaging with an internal chemical indicator; sterilization; and storage that keeps packages dry and intact. Critical (surgical instruments, bone, scalers entering tissue): must be sterile.
626 words, about 3 min04Environmental Asepsis, Surface Disinfection and Waste Management
Clinical contact surfaces (light handles, bracket trays, chair switches, handpiece hoses held during use) are touched by contaminated gloves or struck by spatter and must be barrier-protected or cleaned and disinfected between patients. Housekeeping surfaces (floors, walls, sinks) carry far lower risk: clean regularly, disinfect when visibly contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material, and at the end of the day.
666 words, about 3 min05Dental Unit Waterlines, Aerosol Management and Safe Practices
Dental unit waterlines are narrow, warm, and intermittently used - ideal conditions for biofilm. Organisms shed from biofilm into the spray, so output can far exceed the quality of the water the unit was connected to.
727 words, about 4 min