This webinar addresses the aspects of infection control related to occupational safety, as required by OSHA. During this webinar, personal protective equipment (PPE), immunization requirements, exposure incident management, hand hygiene procedures, the required elements of an exposure critical plan, and staff training are addressed. In addition, the protocol for operatory surfaces, standard precautions, instrument processing and sterilization monitoring are discussed.

The widespread use of latex products in barrier infection control products has resulted in an increasing number of allergic reactions in patients and healthcare workers. There are several types of immune responses to latex that can occur, including life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Tests can determine whether or not a person is sensitive to latex, and the type of immune response. Latex sensitivity is particularly prevalent in healthcare workers and patients with Spina Bifida. If latex sensitivity is suspected in a patient or healthcare worker, alternative products that are latex-free must be used.

In order to meet the challenges of safety, time management and asepsis,the dental health care provider must have a plan for infection control, including the use and care of dental instruments and disposables. Following the basic CDC guidelines can help to significantly reduce the risk of microbial transmission. After the patient is dismissed, the operatory must be prepared for the next patient, including the treatment of surfaces and instrument processing. There is a variety of methods available to properly reprocess instruments. Choosing a system that minimizes risk, maximizes productivity and preserves instruments is essential.

The overall goal of this article is to provide the clinician with information on handpiece and bur technologies, as well as the updated guidelines for the sterilization of handpieces and dental burs.Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to do the following:1. Describe the historical development of handpieces. 2. Describe the types of handpieces currently available and their advantages and disadvantages. 3. Describe the types of burs currently available and their use for specific dental procedures. 4. Describe the appropriate methods for ensuring the sterility of dental handpieces and burs.

Effective and efficient infection control in the dental office is essential for the safety of patients and to ensure that productivity does not suffer. Infection control programs all include the cleaning and sterilization of reusable dental instruments and devices. Care must be taken by the dental healthcare professional to ensure that all instruments are cleaned prior to sterilization, and that this is carried out in a safe manner to avoid injury and puncture wounds. Use of closed-system cassettes reduces the risk to dental healthcare professionals when executing infection control programs. When using ultrasonic cleaners, washers and sterilizers, it is important to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It is also important to consult with the manufacturer of dental instruments and devices as needed to ensure complete sterilization and to avoid damage to these items. Assurance of sterility of instruments and devices can be obtained through the use of one of several tests, and these tests must be performed regularly to ensure that the sterilizer is sterilizing all instruments and devices and that these are safe for use on patients.

After reading this article, the reader should be able to: describe the infection control considerations when evaluating advanced technologies or equipment for purchase, list the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, related to equipment asepsis, list suggested infection control procedures for various advanced technology dental equipment, and express the importance of following manufacturer’s directions concerning.

After reading this article, the reader should be able to: define the position of a dental Office Safety Coordinator, describe the types of training/knowledge beneficial to an Office Safety, Coordinator, describe ways to disseminate information to the rest of the office staff, and list the duties of an Office Safety Coordinator.

After reading this article, the reader should be able to: Describe the importance of proper training in the recognition, prevention and management of hazardous events, describe an emergency action plan, list some possible emergency situations in a dental office and describe some, approaches to help prepare for such events, and List some specific ways to help prevent sharps injuries.

After reading this article, the reader should be able to: identify critical tasks to be performed at the end of the day to prepare for the next day’s work, identify non-clinical care tasks related to infection control, list paperwork needed to maintain proper infection control and safety and comply with OSHA rules, and locate OSHA standards for bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication and emergency action plans.

After reading this article, the reader should be able to: understand how microbes are spread at chairside, prepare for a patient appointment from an infection control point of view, visualize how hand hygiene, engineering controls, work practices, surface asepsis and personal protective equipment play an important role in chairside asepsis and maintain proper infection control during operatory clean-up.

After reading this article, the reader should be able to: list the basic office support equipment, understand that maintenance of this equipment is very important, understand what to consider when performing equipment asepsis and choose the proper infection control measure to help prevent support equipment from contributing to cross-contamination.