infection control
INFECTION CONTROL IN THE COVID ERA by Kayce Hollingsworth
Infection control in the dental practice is a critical part of the daily protocols to keep employees safe from exposure and patients safe from potential infections . It has become an even bigger concern with the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus ( Covid-19 ), which was labeled a pandemic on March 11 , 2020 . Because of extensive training in infection control , dental professionals were prepared to deal with the new protocols that were to be put in place when treating patients .
When the dental offices opened back up in mid-May of 2020 after the initial lockdown , the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners established new guidelines as set forth by the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ). The American Dental Association put together a return-to-work toolkit that was very helpful in establishing a Respiratory Transmission Plan to keep everyone safe . The plan included more extensive protocols for infection control , cross contamination prevention , additional personal protection equipment ( PPE ) requirements , employee and patient screening , along with additional documentation requirements . Other protocols included special attention to operatory disinfection and airborne contamination reduction and disinfection .
It was a significant challenge with more strict guidelines for personal protective equipment usage and obtaining the necessary supplies with the higher demand . Many offices found it difficult to find the appropriate masks and gowns that were required . Hopefully we have surpassed those obstacles to obtaining what is needed now that we have more experience in dealing with the additional requirements .
Since that time , we have learned more about Covid and its transmission . Its transmission and incubation period is very similar to the flu virus . The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners voted on June 18 , 2021 to allow Covid-19 emergency rule 108.7 to expire . Essentially , this took away all the additional Covid requirements and permitted dental offices to return to function as they did prior to the outbreak in the state . At about the same time , OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard ( ETS ), which was put in place on June 28 , 2021 . This ETS continued the federal Covid protocols issued by the CDC in response to the Presidential Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety . This is now set to expire on June 21 , 2022 , unless it is canceled or extended . Additional information regarding the ETS can be found at www . osha . gov under the Dentistry section .
We can all agree that the Covid pandemic brought a greater focus on our infection control procedures and practices within the dental office . Many of the systems that were previously recognized as adequate have been re-examined to enlist a higher level of safety protocols . Some offices have adopted air purification systems and have allotted a longer time between patient scheduling to take extra care for operatory disinfection . While the additional mandatory protocols may be expiring , it is a good
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