[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6488-6489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3026]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Draft Recommended Infection Control Practices for Dentistry, 2003

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice is a request for review of and comment on the 
Draft Recommended Infection Control Practices for Dentistry, 2003 
available on the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/infection_control/guidelines/comments.htm. The guideline has been 
developed for practitioners who provide care for patients and who are 
responsible for monitoring and preventing infections and occupational 
health and safety in dental healthcare settings. The guideline is 
intended to replace Recommended Infection-Control Practices for 
Dentistry, 1993.

[[Page 6489]]


DATES: Comments on the Draft Recommended Infection Control Practices 
for Dentistry, 2003 must be received in writing (mail, e-mail, fax) on 
or before March 14, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you can not access the internet, 
requests for a written copy can be submitted to: CDC, NCCDPHP, Division 
of Oral Health, Attention: Infection Control Guideline, 4770 Buford 
Highway, Mailstop F-10, Atlanta, GA 30341; via fax: 770-488-6080; or 
via email: [email protected].

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft Recommended Infection Control 
Practices for Dentistry, 2003 should be sent to the CDC, NCCDPHP, 
Division of Oral Health, Attention: Infection Control Guideline, 4770 
Buford Highway, Mailstop F-10, Atlanta, GA 30341; or via fax: 770-488-
6080; or via email: [email protected]; or Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/infection_control/guidelines/comments.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The two-part Draft Recommended Infection 
Control Practices for Dentistry, 2003 consolidates recommendations for 
the prevention and control of infectious diseases and the management of 
occupational health and safety issues related to infection control in 
dental settings. The guideline is intended to assist dental health-care 
personnel in preventing occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens, 
the control of infections associated with contaminated medical devices 
or surgical instruments, and prevention of occupationally acquired 
infections and other related safety and health issues. Part I provides 
a review of the scientific data regarding dental infection control 
issues pertaining to an employee health program, personal protective 
equipment, preventing exposures to bloodborne pathogens, hand hygiene, 
sterilization or disinfection of patient-care items, the office 
environment, dental unit waterlines and water quality, special dental 
equipment and procedures, and program evaluation. Part II contains the 
consensus evidence-based recommendations by the CDC Division of Oral 
Health, the National Center for Infectious Diseases, the National 
Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, and a national panel of experts 
in dental infection control.

    Dated: January 31, 2003.
James D. Seligman,
Associate Director for Program Services, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-3026 Filed 2-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P