Which of the following is an example of a semi-critical item in dental practice?

A semi-critical item in dental practice is one that comes into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin but does not penetrate soft tissue or bone. The mouth mirror, which is used to view and access the oral cavity and may come in contact with various tissues, fits this definition perfectly.

In contrast, a dental chair is classified as a non-critical item since it does not directly touch any mucous membranes or soft tissues during dental procedures, thereby posing a lower risk for infection transmission. The spoon excavator is considered a critical item because it comes into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, often penetrating soft tissues. A dental bib is also classified as non-critical as it acts primarily as a barrier to protect the patient's clothing and may not come into contact with tissues at all, making it less significant in terms of infection control in comparison to semi-critical items. Understanding these classifications helps dental professionals implement appropriate infection control measures tailored to the items they use.