Infection Prevention

Title

How to safely practice dentistry during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Description

This course was written by an RDH and an RN who works on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the economy begins to slowly re-open and dental professionals return to patient care, there is a demand amongst providers for information on how to keep themselves safe. This course will discuss the microbiology of the virus SARS-CoV-2 which causes the disease known as COVID-19. A review of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use in healthcare facilities with a focus on face protection including mask ratings and recommendations will be presented. Aerosol and splatter control protocols and risks, along with disinfectant ratings from leading national agencies will be explored. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn the facts and bust the myths of practicing dentistry safely during this pandemic.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the dental professional will be able to:

1. Explain the SARS-CoV-2 virus microbiology and understand the etiology of the disease COVID-19.

2. Understand PPE’s recommended for healthcare professionals.

3. Select appropriate masks and face protection for the procedure being performed.

4. Control aerosols and splatter based on the recommendations from leading national agencies.

5. Select appropriate disinfectant products based on EPA guidelines and identify the differences in claims.

Title

A Review of Current Infection Prevention Protocols for the Dental Field.

Description

A comprehensive working knowledge of infection prevention practices is an essential function for all healthcare professionals. When strong workplace controls such as ongoing training with written and reviewed policies and procedures are not established, the patient and provider have an increased risk for an adverse health event. Dental health care personnel (DHCP) work in a unique and hazardous environment that differs from medical facilities.

DHCPs are exposed to radiation and contaminants such as chemicals and solutions capable of causing biological damage to a human. They are also exposed to high volumes of pathogenic organisms, blood, and saliva generated by air-driven equipment that emits an aqueous solution in the form of an aerosol and spatter. Dental aerosols become part of the centralized ventilation, travel great distances from the source of creation, and stay suspended in the air for long periods of time behaving unpredictably in the environment.

The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is classified as an Acute Respiratory Infection by the World Health Organization. Its continued persistence in the community has revolutionized the practice of dentistry and demonstrated the importance of quality infection prevention practices including proper personal protective equipment required for aerosol-generating procedures.

This course will discuss infection prevention protocols specific for the dental environment that are effective, reliable, and standardized.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the oral health care provider will be able to:

1. Define a DHCP and identify their risk for an adverse health event when proper infection prevention protocols are not followed.

2. Identify recommending and requiring agencies within the United States government that are involved in healthcare infection prevention protocols.

3. Differentiate modes of transmission in the chain of infection.

4. Practice hand hygiene and don the personal protective equipment that decreases the risk for disease transmission.

5. Reprocess equipment and dispose of waste in accordance with governing agencies.

6. Differentiate between clinical contact and housekeeping surfaces and select the appropriate cleaning and disinfecting solutions for each.

7. Practice water line and vacuum maintenance that ensures patient safety and prolongs the life of equipment.

Title

Setting the Standard in Sterilization and Handpiece Reprocessing.

Description

Reprocessing is an essential function performed by trained dental health care personnel (DHCP) that consists of handling reusable contaminated items and moving them through various workflow processes to render them safe for patient care. The use of a sterilizer is an important component of reprocessing in the dental field because all forms of viable microbial life are killed, and equipment is rendered safe for patient use. Dental handpieces pose a special challenge for successful reprocessing and sterilization due to their unique design and architecture. This course presents the highest market standards using evidence-based science for facility reprocessing workflows, contemporary steam sterilization, and dental handpiece reprocessing that will prolong the life of the equipment and provide the highest level of protection to patients.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the oral health care provider will be able to:

1. Identify the three components of a central processing center.

2. Compare and contrast steam sterilizers and select the best form of sterilization for the facility’s needs.

3. Build strong office policies, procedures, and protocols for reprocessing and sterilization.

4. Recognize the unique challenges of reprocessing dental handpieces and understand the importance of proper cleaning, disinfecting, and lubrication prior to sterilization.

Title

Building Infection Prevention Office Protocols for Aerosol-Generating Procedures.

Description

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 environmental air quality control. Pathogenic organisms are present in the millions of aerosols and spatter droplets created by dental drills, ultrasonics, and air polishing devices. This course presents a multi-layer infection prevention approach to mitigate the risk for disease transmission during aerosol-generating procedures that includes personal protective equipment (PPE), pre-procedural rinsing, evacuation techniques, and engineering controls such as adequate ventilation and no-touch air decontamination technology. Join us for this two-hour evidence-based webinar that will assist you in building effective and efficient infection prevention office protocols.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the oral health care provider will be able to:

1. Identify dental procedures and equipment that generates large volumes of aerosols and spatter droplets.

2. Define, compare, and contrast spatter droplets and aerosols.

3. Understand aerosol creation, composition, ionization, environmental behavior, and movement.

4. Identify environmental risks created by dental aerosols and spatter droplets in an office space.

5. Implement a multi-layer infection prevention office protocol that mitigates the risk of disease transmission during aerosol-generating procedures.

Title

Dental office indoor air quality…what are we really breathing and what does the science say? 

Description

Join us for a journey into the world of dental environmental safety. The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants that cause the disease COVID-19 continued persistence in the community has revolutionized the practice of dentistry and demonstrated the importance of quality infection prevention practices. Dental healthcare professionals are exposed to large volumes of aerosols throughout a workday which contain blood, saliva, and pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses from a patient’s mouth. These aerosols can transmit diseases such as Acute Respiratory Infections (COVID-19) when viral particles are present. The aerosolized product stays suspended in the air for hours after a procedure while traveling throughout the entire dental environment when appropriate engineering controls such as high-volume evacuation, air decontamination, and quality ventilation systems are not present. The World Health Organization states the lack of ventilation, or low ventilation rates in healthcare facilities increases the risk for airborne disease outbreaks. This course uses evidence-based research to explore dental aerosols and office environment best practices.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the oral health care provider will be able to:

1. Define a dental aerosol and describe its erratic behavior in the air environment.

2. Recognize the risk for disease transmission when engaging in a dental aerosol-generating procedure.

3. Incorporate engineering controls that mitigate the risk for disease transmission and improve indoor air quality.