Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What type of items has the highest potential for disease transmission in dental practice?

1. Non-critical items

2. Semi-critical items

3. Critical items

4. Disposable items

The correct answer is: Critical items

Critical items have the highest potential for disease transmission in dental practice because they are instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone. This category includes items such as surgical instruments, scalpel blades, and any tools that enter a patient's bloodstream or tissue. Because of their direct exposure to blood and other bodily fluids, proper sterilization is crucial to eliminate the risk of transmitting pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, that can cause infections. In contrast, non-critical items are those that contact only intact skin and have a lower risk of disease transmission, while semi-critical items may contact mucous membranes but do not penetrate tissue and thus require appropriate disinfection rather than complete sterilization. Disposable items, although designed for single use to reduce the risk of infection, are not classified based on their potential for disease transmission but rather their design for a specific purpose and convenience. Therefore, critical items necessitate the highest level of precaution and care in infection control practices within a dental setting.