23 THE ADA PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE INFECTION CONTROL It is very important that dentists identify and keep on hand the name of a qualified physician who will evaluate any occupational exposure incident. This will facilitate the prompt referral and evaluation of any exposed dental team member. The post-exposure management program must be consistent with the practices and procedures for worker protection required by OSHA and with current USPHS recommendations for managing occupational exposures to blood. Preventing Occupational Exposures Occupational exposures to blood and OPIM occur through percutaneous injury (e.g., needlesticks or cuts with a sharp object), as well as through contact between potentially infectious blood, tissues, or other body fluids and mucous membranes of the eye, nose, mouth or non-intact skin. Methods used to reduce the risk of blood contacts in the dental setting include the use of standard precautions, engineering and work practice controls. Standard Precautions Standard precautions are the minimum infection control practices that apply to all patient care in any setting where health care is delivered, whether or not a patient is suspected or confirmed as having an infection. The purpose of standard precautions is to decrease the risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens from both known and unknown sources. Standard precautions apply to contact with blood all body fluids, secretions, and excretions (except sweat), regardless of whether they contain blood non- intact skin and mucous membranes. Saliva has always been considered a potentially infectious material in dental infection control.6 Properly used PPE can prevent contact with blood and other potentially infectious material.