The Dental Board of Australia (DBA) expects practitioners to comply with ‘best practice’ standards in relation to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to protect both the public, and, practitioners and their staff. Key documents and resources have been collated here in a highly accessible format to help you navigate the process to meet your IPC obligations.
The DBA replaced the formal IPC Guidelines on 1 July 2022 with resources and tools to help practitioners ensure they are practising safely. These changes promote practitioner self-reflection and ongoing professionalism.
ADA NSW supports its members to achieve their IPC obligations. We provide answers to the most frequently asked infection control questions and deliver on-demand CPD courses to help ensure both you and your teams have access to up-to-date, relevant information.
ADA NSW provides one-on-one tailored advice to practitioners with specific questions about Infection Prevention and Control. Please contact Advisory Services on (02) 8436 9944 or by email on advisory@adansw.com.au
The purpose of this service is to objectively identify potential infection control risks from information and photographs you provide to us. We review this information and send you a practice-specific action plan against the images you have provided to support you and your team with implementing best practice strategies.
This service is ideal for practices who are after an assessment of their Infection Control systems, as well as those previously had had an Onsite Infection Control Review and would like to revisit their Infection Control compliance systems on an annual basis.
Our service provides a complete overview of all key Infection Prevention and Control areas while providing specific feedback and strategies in a proactive format to support you and your team with implementing best practice strategies.
This service takes place while the practice is treating patients, ensuring the most effective feedback can be provided.
After the review, practices will receive a report providing a high level snapshot of how the practice is performing in each Infection Control area.
We recommend that you maintain access to the documents below:
The fifth edition of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidelines, incorporates changes that have arisen since the publication of the AS/NZS 5369:2023 and is specific to dental practices.
It is important that every registered dental practitioner and all members of the dental team familiarise themselves with this document and update their practice policies accordingly.
Dental Highlights: NHMRC Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019)
The NHMRC Guidelines (2019) provide a national, evidence-based framework for infection prevention and control across all Australian healthcare settings, including dental practices. They set the minimum standard of care, outline compliance expectations, and support safe practice for patients, staff, and the broader community.
Regulators expect dental practitioners to understand the scientific principles underpinning infection control. ADA NSW recommends that every practice reviews the guidelines and keeps a digital or printed copy accessible for reference.
The NHMRC Guidelines (2019) clearly present the scientific rationale behind infection prevention strategies, covering both broad principles and specific clinical scenarios.
Access the NHMRC Guidelines
Scope of the NHMRC Guidelines (2019)
Key NHMRC Topics Relevant to Dental Practice
Dental practitioners are encouraged to review the following sections:
ADA Guidelines advise maintaining access to this document. AS/NZS 5369:2023 can be purchased from Standards Australia Purchase Link Here
This standard provides guidelines to help ensure reusable medical devices are cleaned, disinfected, and sterilised properly to prevent infections and improve patient safety.
Key updates in AS/NZS 5369:2023 as outlined by Standards Australia on their website include:
As part of our registration with Ahpra and the Dental Board of Australia, practitioners that perform exposure prone procedures are required to be aware of their status in relation to BBV’s and adhere to the CDNA guidelines for the management of healthcare workers living with blood borne viruses.
The CDNA guidelines are available at:
CDNA National Guidelines for healthcare workers on managing bloodborne viruses
This course is designed to help clinicians and the dental team navigate the landscape of requirements, with practical advice on topics within Infection Prevention and Control.
Presented by Emeritus Professor Laurence J. Walsh AO
On-Demand: Infection Prevention and Control – free for members
This resource offers foundational and general information providing a practical introduction to the principles of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for the dental team.
ADA NSW provides one-on one tailored advice to practitioners with specific questions on Infection Control. Advisory Services can be contacted on (02) 8436 9944 or by email on advisory@adansw.com.au
I am looking for: |
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Practice Specific Infection Control Manual Template – ADA Template (for ADA Ltd/Federal Members) |
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Steri Room Logs (Required) |
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ADA NSW Steriliser/ Autoclave Log Template |
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ADA NSW Ultrasonic Log Template |
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IC WHS and Incident Management (Required) |
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Immunisation Information and Immunisation Register Template |
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IC Incident Form and Risk Assessment Template |
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Practice Incident Information and Register Template |
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Staff Orientation and Training Checklists (Recommended) |
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New Staff Infection Control Orientation Checklist |
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IPC Video Tutorials |
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Posters and Memoires (Recommended) |
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PPE Poster |
ACSQHC Sequence for putting on and removing personal protective equipment (PPE) |
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Hand Hygiene Poster |
ACSQHC 5 moments hand hygiene poster – dental and oral health settings |
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Hand Washing Poster |
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Glove Use |
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Surgical Handwash Poster |
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Self Audits (Recommended) |
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ADA Self-Audit tool for Infection Prevention & Control (recommended) (for ADA Ltd/Federal Members) |
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Dental Council of NSW Information Sheet and Infection Control Checklist |
Dental Council NSW Infection Control Checklist |
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Dental Board of Australia fact sheet and self-reflection tool |
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Reprocessing reusable medical equipment gap analysis tool |
ACSQHC Reprocessing reusable medical equipment gap analysis tool |
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Clinical Excellence Commission website for Infection Prevention and Control |
NSW CEC Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Program
NSW CEC Infection Prevention and Control Precautions
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Transitioning from AS/NZS 4815:2006 to AS/NZS 5369:2023 – for healthcare services |
ACSQHC Transitioning from AS/NZS 48152006 to AS/NZS 53692023 |
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Australian Immunisation Handbook |
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WHS Manual (for ADA Ltd/Federal members) |
The ADA Infection Control Committee has advised (Jan 2026) that AS/NZS 5369:2023 has been amended in relation to Air Removal and Steam Penetration Tests. The change affects Australian dental practices using steam sterilisers whose chambers are less than 60 L.
Practices using steam sterilisers with chamber less than 60 L, should refer to the steriliser’s manufacturer user manual to determine what type of ISO 11140-6 compliant Air Removal and Steam Penetration Tests (porous device or hollow device) should be performed daily. If there is no clear or specific manufacturer advice, the ADA Infection Control Committee advises that the type of test (porous device or hollow device) performed daily should be determined based on the types of Reusable Medical Devices being processed, i.e.
· If hollow devices (e.g. handpieces, scaler handpieces, suction tips and/or triplex tips) are included in loads, then a daily hollow device Air Removal and Steam Penetration Test should be performed.
· If no hollow devices are sterilised (i.e. only solid instruments), then the practice can use either a hollow device or porous device Air Removal and Steam Penetration Test.
Practices using sterilisers with chambers greater than 60 L, must still perform a Bowie-Dick type test that conforms with ISO 11140-3, ISO 11140-4, or ISO 11140-5 for the daily Air Removal and Steam Penetration Test. In addition to the daily Air Removal and Steam Penetration Test, these practices may (as determined by a risk assessment) continue to include a hollow process challenge device in loads containing hollow devices.
Many practitioners are receiving certificates of compliance of their autoclaves which refer to the old standard.
Practitioners must ensure that all new calibration/ validation of their autoclaves are performed in accordance and are compliant with the standard AS/NZS 5369:2023.
Please contact Advisory Services as a priority by calling (02) 8436 9944. You will be assigned to a Peer Advisor who will discuss your situation and provide customised advice and guidance.
The Dental Council Infection Control Checklist and Information sheet are available via a link in the table above or via the DC NSW website.
Yes, please contact Practice Services on 02 8436 9935 or email advisory@adansw.com.au
Practitioners that perform exposure prone procedures are required to be aware of their status in relation to BBV’s and adhere to the Australian national guidelines for the management of healthcare workers living with blood borne viruses and healthcare workers who perform exposure prone procedures at risk of exposure to blood borne viruses.
Most dentists who perform clinical procedures conduct exposure prone procedures, and we make a declaration regarding our compliance with the CDNA guidelines annually at the time of registration.
The CDNA National Guidelines for healthcare workers on managing bloodborne viruses addresses the issue for both infected HCW’s and employers. Their fact sheets are available in the table IPC Resources Compilation on this page, or via the CDNA website.
The DBA shifted from providing their own formal guidelines on Infection Control on 1 July 2022 to supporting practitioners with resources and tools to help them continue practicing safely. Access to these are available in the table IPC Resources Compilation on this page, or via the DBA website.
The expectation however remains that practitioners remain compliant with the Relevant Standards (see rules and regulations) and in line with Professional Expectations and the Code of Conduct.
The ADA Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control fifth edition contain an appendix Blood and body fluid expose (BBFE) protocol (page 82) which discusses first aid, the risk assessment, and testing.
Step 1 – First aid
Step 2 – Incident Report (conducted by the staff member involved or a witness)
Step 3 – Exposure Risk Assessment (conducted by a trained medical professional)
Step 4 – Practice WHS Risk Assessment (organised by practice management)
Step 5 – Implement Risk Reduction Strategies WHS (whole of team involvement)
For injured staff:
Provide first aid and refer to GP for an exposure risk assessment, baseline and future testing and counselling.
The employer should pay for testing to expedite the process.
The Exposure Risk Assessment is important to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis is required and should be conducted without delay. Expert medical advise is required to make this decision. It would be wise to have the contact details of an appropriate medical contact in your practice manual so that you are prepared.
In NSW one option is the Albion Centre’s Blood and Body Fluid Exposure phoneline (1800 804 823 Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm) is a good starting point. The Albion Centre also makes online tools available via this link https://thealbioncentre.org.au/education-and-information__trashed/phone-lines/blood-and-body-fluid-exposure-online-self-assessment-and-information-service/
For the source:
There is no requirement to inform a source patient unless there is a possibility that they were exposed by the incident.
A source patient cannot be forced to undergo any testing. Informed and voluntary consent must be obtained. Explaining to the patient how the knowledge can assist in the management of the injured person might be helpful in obtaining cooperation.
Any conversation that you have with a patient in relation to an incident should be clearly documented.
The practice management must:
To assist practices to investigate and manage incidents Advisory Services has developed a Risk Assessment Template that you can download for use in your practice. We have also developed the Practice Incident Register Template. Both templates are available in the table on this page. The Risk Assessment Template can be adapted to any type of incident.
If you would like to discuss an exposure incident and would like to clarify your obligations, contact Advisory Services on (02) 8436 9944.
All templates are provided in word form and should be modified as required in order to be consistent with your Practice Infection Control Manual
If you have questions about your membership status or believe this is an error, please contact our Membership Team. We’re here to assist you.
You can reach us on 02 8436 9905 or via email at membership@adansw.com.au.
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