Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Which of the following items is designated as noncritical in a dental setting?

1. Radiographic devices

2. Plastic impression trays

3. Dental unit chairs

4. High-speed handpieces

The correct answer is: Dental unit chairs

In a dental setting, items are categorized based on the level of involvement with patient care and potential for infection transmission. Noncritical items are those that come into contact with intact skin but do not penetrate or come into contact with mucous membranes or sterile body sites. Dental unit chairs fall into this noncritical category because they are primarily surfaces where patients sit. While they can become contaminated by bodily fluids, they do not directly interact with blood or the vascular system, thus presenting a lower risk for infection compared to critical items, which would penetrate tissues. Radiographic devices, plastic impression trays, and high-speed handpieces, on the other hand, are classified as either critical or semi-critical items. Radiographic devices often come into contact with the mouth and may touch mucous membranes. High-speed handpieces directly interact with oral tissues and fluids, classifying them as critical items. Plastic impression trays, while they may not penetrate tissues, still have direct contact with saliva and other secretions, placing them in the semi-critical category due to the higher risk of contamination.