Infection Control Update

This live and interactive webinar reviews the science of disease transmission and updates and makes sense of the many dental safety recommendations considering bloodborne pathogens, COVID-19 and beyond. Standard and Transmission-based Precautions will be explained in the context of CDC & ADA Guidelines and OSHA & Dental Board regulations (meets Infection Control & OSHA CE requirements). Safety tips are categorized by effectiveness and include new technology, how to optimize indoor air safety, PPE other prevention controls.

Course Description

Infection Control

All clinical personnel in the dental setting are at risk for exposure to disease agents and other environmental hazards. With attention to infection control CDC Guidelines and OSHA Standards, risks to yourself, your patients, and other dental team members can be minimized. In this update, the scientific background behind infection control and safety regulations will be emphasized. Participants will be able to recognize strategies to break the chain of infection and prevent exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials such as COVID-19 in the dental setting.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course the participants should be able to:

1. Describe the most recent CDC Guidelines and OHSA Standards for the dental setting
2. List precautions necessary to prevent cross-contamination in the dental setting
3. Explain the importance of a written office-specific infection control program
4. Describe the rationale and protocol for effective hand hygiene for oral healthcare personnel
5. Review the selection of personal protective equipment to be worn for patient care and instrument processing
6. Describe policies and protocols for instrument processing and sterilization monitoring
7. Discuss selection and use of disinfectants for environmental surfaces
8. Discuss mitigation strategies for COVID-19 in the dental setting
9. Describe strategies to minimize contamination of dental unit waterlines
10. Identify resources and educational materials to support your infection control program