Dental CE Course: Infection Control and OSHA Issues for the Dental Professional

This fast-paced course will cover all aspects of infection control in the dental office and help participants identify how to assess their work environment. Compliance standards for OSHA and the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners will be covered with a focus on risk management through improved patient communication. Other government agency applications will be addressed including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The speaker will differentiate between requirements and recommendations of these agencies so that healthcare professionals may make informed decisions on implementing new protocols within the office. While this topic is considered "boring" by some, this course will bring humor to the subject and allow participants to share experiences, both positive and negative, in an effort to expand the knowledge of all participants. An update will be provided on the current status of common bloodborne diseases as well as other organisms found in the dental environment that can be transmitted to employees and/or patients. Methods of transmission and protective equipment will be addressed. Protocols for disinfection, nuances within chemical categories, documentation of chemicals, differences in disinfecting agents, and product claims and efficacy will be explored. Discussion will address common issues where dentists experience problems in compliance and various solutions will be considered to address risk, effective office safety, and costs associated with managing the Infection Control function. Procedures will be discussed that can help staff in streamlining instrument handling while minimizing physical risk. Safety for staff and patients will be addressed. Handouts will be provided for participants to take back to their work environment to help in the implementation and/or updating of their current office protocol. All staff is encouraged to attend as OSHA requires update training for all employees annually. Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this course the participant should be able to:
Identify bloodborne viruses, routes of exposure, and protocols for post exposure testing.
Understand various methods of disinfection and sterilization and when to apply the method.
Recognize the nuances of various protocols for instrument and surface cleaning.
List the required documentation an office needs to be compliant with government regulations.
Apply concepts learned to their specific environment.
List common risk management strategies to improve office safety for patients and staff.