Hygiène : structures, matériels, méthodes

The number of measures and regulations related to the increased risk of transmission of infections during hospital treatment has grown exponentially over the past twenty years. The alarming nature of nosocomial infections related to such risk has led to the creation of committees specifically aimed at fighting the risk of nosocomial infection. The recrudescence of infectious diseases is due to several factors: occurrence of new diseases, resistance to antibiotics, and increased number of debilitating conditions with intercurrent effects and, as a corollary, in subjects with lowered resistance. The therapeutic environment concerning the oral sphere is a major domain for the prevention of nosocomial infections. Today, numerous hygiene measures enable such problems to be controlled. In odontology, the practitioner, the dental prosthesis laboratory and the designers are equally involved. In his chapter, this subject is discussed not only in an overall manner to give an overview of the inseparable aspects of the problem, but also to convince the reader of its necessity. The process as a whole is aimed at eliminating the risk of cross infection related to the potential existence of reservoirs of micro-organisms and transmission pathways. In addition to the implementation of disinfection, sterilization and antisepsis procedures, knowledge, understanding and application of asepsis rules are expected to achieve protection of exposed subjects.