Infection prevention is a key activity in the dental office that is essential to prevent the transmission of disease among patients and dental health care personnel. Processes should be performed in a reliable and repeatable manner to ensure patient and provider safety. Healthcare facilities must adhere to federal and state regulations when implementing infection prevention protocols that are effective, reliable, and standardized.
The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease COVID-19 continued persistence in the community has revolutionized the practice of dentistry and demonstrated the importance of quality infection prevention practices needed for aerosol-generating procedures. Dental aerosols travel great distances and stay suspended in the air for long periods of time. They contain pathogenic organisms (bacterial and viral), blood, and saliva. They are capable of transmitting diseases such as an Acute Respiratory Infections (SARS-CoV-2). This course will discuss best practices that mitigate the risks of disease transmission for anyone who enters the dental environment.
After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Perform high quality hand hygiene and select the personal protective equipment that decreases the risk for disease transmission during aerosol-generating procedures.
- Implement a proper surface management program for clinical contact and housekeeping surfaces.
- Perform repeatable sequential steps during instrument reprocessing that decreases the risk for cross-contamination.
- Identify waste as either regulated or non-regulated.
- Practice water line and vacuum maintenance that ensures patient safety and prolongs the life of equipment.
