Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Which of the following is a critical item in dental practice?

1. Instruments that touch oral mucosa

2. Items that penetrate soft tissue or bone

3. Tools used on intact skin

4. Items used in dental hygiene

The correct answer is: Items that penetrate soft tissue or bone

The correct choice highlights the importance of items that penetrate soft tissue or bone, categorizing them as critical items in dental practice. Critical items are those that pose a high risk of infection if contaminated, as they are likely to come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Examples include surgical instruments and needles, which must be thoroughly sterilized to prevent the transmission of pathogens. In contrast, instruments that touch oral mucosa and tools used on intact skin, while still requiring careful handling, do not carry the same level of risk as items that penetrate into the body. Similarly, items used in dental hygiene often involve contact with the outer surfaces of the teeth and gums, but they do not pose the same critical risk of infection as those that penetrate soft tissue or bone. Thus, the critical nature of items penetrating soft tissue or bone is paramount in maintaining a safe and hygienic dental practice.