Infection Control & Safety in the Dental Setting

Course overview

Course Description: Infection Control Check-up for the ENTIRE Dental Team - As we begin to look at the COVID-19 pandemic in the rear-view mirror, the science and understanding and of this disease continues to evolve, and new emerging infectious diseases are now within our communities. While disease transmission in dentistry is rare, consequences may be severe. Participants will learn the latest policies and procedures that impact effective infection control in the dental setting. And, the entire dental team will learn that infection prevention is a team-sport that requires constant attention, education, and compliance. Antibiotic Stewardship Practices in Dentistry- Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat, with "superbug" infections occurring in 2.8 people in the US each year. Antibiotic misuse and overuse are the primary reasons for the development of antibiotic resistance and adverse reactions-most notably life-threatening Clostridioides difficile infection (C. Diff). The risk/benefit of prescribing antibiotics must always be considered before prescribing any antibiotic. Antibiotic stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed by clinicians and used by patients. Appropriate antibiotic prescribing means prescribing antibiotics only when indicated, then choosing the right antibiotic, the right dose, and the right duration. In this program, guidelines for use of antibiotics for prophylaxis and treatment in dentistry will be reviewed, and challenges to responsible prescribing will be discussed. Attendees will be provided with numerous clinical tips, tools and resources for all dental team members to promote antibiotic stewardship in their own practice. Eye Safety in Dentistry- During the delivery of dental care, both dental personnel and patients are at risk of ocular exposure to pathogens and/or physical or chemical injury. Ocular injuries and infections may lead to serious long-term consequences including potential blindness. Unfortunately, eye protection by dental team members (and patients) is often suboptimal or lacking. This session will review best practices for eye protection during all phases of oral healthcare including instrument reprocessing, cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces, chairside dentistry, and light curing procedures.