Dental Precautions Limit Spread of Infection

Limiting the spread of infections in the medical and dental professions has gained widespread attention in the 1990's, largely due to the prevalence of HIV -- the AIDS-causing virus. More than a century ago, doctors discovered that microorganisms cause infection and can result in serious complications during surgical procedures.

In 1865, Dr. Joseph Lister applied bacterial research done by Louis Pasteur to institute antiseptic (germ-killing) techniques during surgery. Contributions by other physicians -- namely Ignaz Semmelweiss and Oliver Wendell Holmes -- determined that bacterial contamination of the hands and clothing worn by doctors could be transferred from patient to patient. These physicians pioneered new approaches to preventing post-surgical infections, such as hand washing and changing into clean clothing before surgery. These seemingly basic precautions set the underpinning for infection-control procedures commonly used in health care today.

Germs are responsible for a wide variety of diseases. Common