Unit 303 Prevention and Control of Infection in the Dental Setting Assessment Brief 2026

City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing

Unit 303 Assignment Brief

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

1. Understand the significance of micro-organisms.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

1.1 Describe the structure of micro-organisms and prions.

1.2 Explain the terms pathogen and non-pathogen.

1.3 Describe factors that impact the host’s susceptibility to infection.

1.4 Summarise the body’s reaction to inflammation / infection.

1.5 Summarise how infectious conditions affect the body.

1.6 Describe the principles of the ‘chain of infection’.

1.7 Explain the importance of immunisation for dental personnel.

Range

(AC1.1) Micro-organisms

a) Bacteria

b) Viruses

c) Fungi

(AC1.3) Factors that impact the host’s susceptibility to infection

a) Pregnancy

b) Immunocompromised

c) Age

d) Medical treatment / illnesses

(AC1.4) Body’s reaction

a) Signs and symptoms

b) Immune system

c) Pus production

(AC1.4) Inflammation / infection

a) Local

b) Systemic

c) Acute

d) Chronic

(AC1.5) Infectious diseases/conditions

a) Hepatitis B and C

b) Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)

c) Herpes Simplex

d) Corona viruses (eg Covid-19)

e) Mumps

f) Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

g) Impetigo

h) Tuberculosis (TB)

i) Meningitis

j) Influenza

k) Infectious mononucleosis / Glandular fever (‘kissing disease’)

l) Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

m) Candida albicans

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

2. Understand the management and processes of infection control.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

2.1 Explain the routes of transmission of infectious diseases in the dental setting.

2.2 Explain the principles of standard (universal) infection control precautions.

2.3 Identify the actions to take to prevent cross-contamination of infectious diseases.

2.4 Explain how correct levels of hand hygiene can be achieved.

2.5 Describe factors that influence hand hygiene.

2.6 Explain how blood and body fluid spillages are managed.

2.7 Describe the relevance of the following documents for quality management of infection control in a dental setting:

a) The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 01-05) on Decontamination in primary care dental practices

b) The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 07-01) on Management and disposal of healthcare waste

c) Practice policies and audit records

d) Staff induction policy.

Range

(AC2.1) Routes of transmission

a) Routes of entry into the body by direct contact

b) Routes of entry into the body by indirect contact

c) Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP) / splatter / airborne transmission

(AC2.4) Hand hygiene

a) Social

b) Clinical

c) Aseptic

(AC2.5) Factors

a) Hand washing products

b) Hand cleansing products

c) Nail hygiene

d) Hand care (drying, moisturising, wound management, dermatitis/allergies)

e) Dispenser requirements

f) Facilities and instructions

g) Jewellery

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

3. Know the various methods of decontamination and sterilisation.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

3.1 Define disinfection and when it is appropriate to use disinfectants.

3.2 Define the terms asepsis and sterilisation.

3.3 Explain the reason for pre-cleaning and dismantling instruments and equipment prior to sterilisation.

3.4 Explain the procedures, layout and equipment used to decontaminate instruments and handpieces in line with legal requirements and organisational procedures.

3.5 Explain how an autoclave should be loaded to achieve sterilisation.

3.6 Describe how sterilisation is achieved.

3.7 Explain the potential risks of failing to decontaminate equipment and instruments effectively.

Range

(AC3.4) Procedures

a) Transportation methods to and from the decontamination room

b) Handwashing

c) PPE

d) Manual scrubbing

e) Ultrasonic bath

f) Washer disinfector

g) Inspection using magnification / inspection light

h) Autoclave cycle and parameters

i) Principles of zoning

j) Storage and timescales for clinical and non-clinical environments

k) Air flow in the decontamination room

(AC3.6) Sterilisation

a) N-type autoclave (non-vacuum)

b) B-type autoclave (vacuum)

c) Industrial (gamma radiation)

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

4. Understand the maintenance and validation required on dental instrument reprocessing equipment in line with manufactures guidelines, organisational and legal requirements.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

4.1 Describe how equipment is successfully validated.

4.2 Explain the actions to be taken if validation is unsuccessful.

4.3 Describe how equipment is checked and routinely maintained.

4.4 Explain the importance of documenting validation and maintenance of equipment.

Range

(AC4.1, 4.3) Equipment

a) Ultrasonic bath

b) Washer disinfector

c) N-type autoclave (non-vacuum)

d) B-type autoclave (vacuum)

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

5. Be able to apply standard precautions of infection control for clinical procedures.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

5.1 Present themselves in the dental setting with the required standard of personal hygiene.

5.2 Select and don the appropriate PPE for the clinical procedure.

5.3 Apply the correct management of infection control procedures throughout the dental setting.

5.4 Provide the correct patient PPE.

5.5 Follow current guidelines to reduce risks of exposure when doffing PPE.

5.6 Deal with waste produced from clinical areas appropriately.

Range

(AC5.1) Required standard of personal hygiene

a) Hair

b) Nails

c) Jewellery

d) Uniform

e) Footwear

f) Overall presentation

(AC5.2) PPE

a) Clinical gloves

b) Apron/gown

c) Goggles/visor

d) Face mask

e) Heavy-duty gloves

(AC5.3) Infection control procedures

a) Handwashing and hand hygiene procedures

b) Maintain zoning

c) Use of single-use barriers

d) Maintain a clean and tidy working environment for clinical dental procedures

e) Select appropriate cleaning products and disinfectants

f) Use re-processing equipment

(AC5.3) Dental setting

a) Surgery

b) Decontamination room / designated decontamination area

(AC5.4) Patient PPE

a) Protective glasses

b) Bib

(AC5.5) Doffing PPE

a) Disinfect

b) Storage

c) Disposal

(AC5.6) Waste

a) Clinical

b) Non-clinical

c) Sharps

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

6. Be able to carry out correct protocols for maintenance and validation of dental equipment, in line with manufacturers’ guidelines, organisational and legal requirements.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

6.1 Follow appropriate cleaning and disinfecting protocols prior to and on completion of work activities in the dental setting.

6.2 Use disinfectants in a safe manner in line with current legislation.

6.3 Ensure that equipment is validated, maintained and functioning in line with practice policies and legal requirements.

6.4 Complete a cleaning schedule and use a surgery checklist, to demonstrate that the surgery has been prepared in line with organisational policy.

Range

(AC6.1) Dental setting

a) Surgery

b) Decontamination room / designated decontamination area

(AC6.2) Legislation

a) Current Health & Safety at Work legislation

b) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations

(AC6.3) Equipment

a) Dental chair

b) Operating light

c) Aspirator

d) Dental unit water lines (DUWLs)

e) Spittoon

f) Instrument cleaning equipment found in the decontamination room

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

7. Be able to safely carry out correct decontamination and sterilisation processes for dental instruments.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

7.1 Safely transport instruments into the decontamination area.

7.2 Prepare instruments and handpieces for sterilisation.

7.3 Demonstrate the application of correct decontamination workflow and stages in line with organisational and legal requirements.

7.4 Load instruments safely and correctly into the autoclave.

7.5 Select the correct autoclave cycle to achieve sterilisation.

7.6 Complete a validation test on the autoclave in line with organisational and legal requirements and document the evidence.

7.7 Store re-processed dental instruments in accordance with organisational and legal requirements.

Range

(AC7.3) Stages

a) Cleaning and disinfection process

b) Inspection

(AC7.3, 7.6, 7.7) Organisational and Legal requirements

a) Practice policies and procedures

b) The current Health Technical Memoranda (HTM 01-05) on Decontamination in primary care dental practices

Unit 303 Prevention and control of infection in the dental setting Supporting Information

Evidence Requirements

Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 – Centres may use professional discussion, assessor devised questions, expert witness testimonies, outcomes of research-based activities, assignments and reflective accounts.

Learning Outcomes 5, 6 and 7 – Evidence to be gathered holistically on separate occasions (simulation is not allowed). This must include:

• One surgery activity
• One decontamination process

Evidence should focus on current legislation, guidance and good practice.

Learning Outcome 7 – Centres that cannot meet 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 due to reliance on offsite/external facilities for instrument decontamination should discuss the following alternatives with their EQA prior to assessment taking place:

1. Secure experience for the learner in an alternative work setting where skills in the use of decontamination equipment (autoclave) can be developed and assessment of competence can take place.
2. Carry out a simulated activity, observed by the assessor in a learning environment which has the required equipment.
3. Set a project for the learner, which is based on current Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 and follow this with a professional discussion.
4. Carry out a professional discussion regarding previous relevant experience of using decontamination equipment (autoclave).

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