Infection Prevention Coordinator Training

Course overview

Learn how to assess the dental practice’s current infection prevention practices in order to determine where improvement needs to occur to protect not only dental health care personnel, but also patients. This course is relevant to dentists, dental staff, anyone responsible for infection prevention in their workplace. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), transmission of infectious agents among patients and dental health care personnel in dental settings can be prevented by observing Standard Precautions and other infection prevention practices. The 2003 CDC Guidelines for Dentistry were reviewed by the CDC and a Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings (the Summary) was issued in March 2016. The CDC recommends that dental practices review their infection prevention practices on a regular basis by appointing an Infection Prevention Coordinator (IFC) to assume this responsibility. This course will review the responsibilities of the IFC using the CDC’s Infection Prevention Checklist which is a part of the Summary. The IPC should ensure that equipment and supplies, which includes hand hygiene products, safer devices to reduce percutaneous injuries, and personal protective equipment, are available. The IFC should also maintain communication with all staff members to address specific issues or concerns related to infection prevention.