. Chemical classification based on
germicidal efficacy , environmental effects of non-biodegradable disinfectant wipes
. Efficacy vs . popularity in selection of surface disinfectants
Environmental Surface Barriers
. Efficacy vs . environmental effects
. Barrier use vs . Surface disinfection ( one or the other , not both )
. Generic barriers vs . preformed barriers ;
choosing appropriate computer and peripherals that can be disinfected vs . barriers ; barrier efficacy while using curing lights and lasers
. Impact of barriers on the environment
Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE )
. Choosing the level of PPE use based on the anticipated procedures
. Eye protection against splash / spatter
and against short wavelength light and lasers with or without loupes
. Face shields and side shields
. Masks ( Level-1 to Level-3 masks , N-95
respirators with face fit , N-100 respirators , Positive air pressure respirators )
. Gowns and aprons
. Glove types and choices ( exam , utility ,
protection against heat and choice of glove material , glove liners )
. Allergy to latex and sensitivity to glove materials
. Beard covers , bonnets and shoe covers
Hand Hygiene General dental procedures vs . surgical
Alcohol sprays / gels use and misuse
.
Hand lotions Classification of antiseptic soaps
. Handwashing steps before and after using gloves
. Handling cuts , bruises and hangnails ; length of nails and effects on gloves
Instrument Reprocessing
. The reprocessing cycle
. Understanding sonication and ultrasonic
instrument cleaners , degassing , selection of ultrasonic solutions , testing ultrasonic cleaners
. Instrument washers
. Choices and limitations in sterilizers and
sterilization process ( autoclaves , chemiclaves , dry-heat , rapid heat transfer , immersion sterilization )
. Sterilization monitoring ( biologic
indicators in-office vs . mailout , classification and efficacy of chemical indicators ), regulations in sterilization monitoring and logging results
. Limitations of biologic indicators
. Instrument reprocessing during provision
of dental care ( missions of mercy or field camps )
. New innovations in sterilization monitoring – digital sterilization indicators
Dental Unit Water System Treatment , Water Contamination , Control Measures and Monitoring
. Understanding the types of contaminants
found in water ( Total dissolved solids , organic contaminants , bacteria , fungi ) that promote biofilm formation
. Heterotrophic contamination of treatment
. Risks to patients ; dead legs that cannot be cleaned in the dental unit
. Decontamination methods to control biofilms and heterotrophs
. Methods to monitor contamination in
meeting the standards
.
Corrosion of materials
Decontaminant compatibility with composite bonding to enamel and dentin
Dental Safety in Radiology
. Principle of ‘ as low as reasonably achievable ’ ( ALARA )
. Infection control in conventional and digital radiology and limitations
. Maintenance and testing safety devices
. State requirements of testing and maintenance of test logs
. Pregnancy and radiation
Apart from all other tasks in the clinic , the office manager should not only be responsible for getting the staff trained and help get their CDE in Infection Control , but also be responsible for the practice of infection control in the clinic . Most dental and hygiene schools do not have a comprehensive program in Dental Infection Control and therefore the dentists and hygienists are not trained . The Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention ( OSAP ) teamed up with the Dale Foundation to develop training programs for dental staff to obtain a certification in Dental Infection Control – which might be helpful in getting at least one person from each dental clinic trained in becoming the safety manager of the clinic . Further , for the ease of management , the office manager should use a checklist method and a time-based schedule in managing and improving the dental safety needs of their dental clinic .
Dr . Raghunath ( Raghu ) Puttaiah provides nationwide in-office and virtual ( Zoom ) training programs in Dental Infection Control , OSHA , and HIPAA . He also is the owner of a dental safety educational company ToothCE Inc . ( www . toothce . com ) that provides online education in dental safety . He can be reached at ( 469 ) 879-5003 .
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