Reprinted with permission from the ADA Center for Professional Success Copyright © 2018 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
Many symptoms of influenza are nonspecific. Therefore, it is possible that the patient you are treating may have the influenza virus or a number of other infectious agents without any noticeable symptoms.
The spread of influenza can occur among patients, your dental team, and yourself. It is important to use appropriate infection control precautions when providing care to minimize the possibility of spreading an infection amongst staff members and other patients.
Here are five major components that should be part of your infection control program.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Annual education and training around occupational exposure to potentially infectious agents and infection-control procedures is an important aspect of an infection control program. The Centers for Disease Control has a number of resources available online for educating and training your team.
IMMUNIZATION
During flu season, staff and patients can exposed to the influenza virus from friends, neighbors, and the community. Annual vaccinations are a critical part of limiting exposure and deciphering from other communicable diseases. Consider covering the cost of vaccination for your team, or providing vaccinations in the office during work hours.
STERILIZATION
Proper and consistent sterilization practices of all materials in contact or in close proximity to patients are paramount. Verify that your sterilization methods and equipment meet compliance standards.
EXPOSURE PREVENTION AND POST- EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT
Make sure your practice is screening symptomatic patients. Develop etiquette regarding respiratory hygiene and coughing. Placing cough etiquette reminders in the waiting area and the staff operatory can be helpful.
POLICY ON WORK-RELATED ILLNESS
Encourage patients to seek preventative and curative care, and to report signs or symptoms of illness. Create a work environment that does not punish employees for illness.
For additional information on influenza and infection control, see also:
“ The ADA Practical Guide to Infection Control”, for sale at the ADA Store.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, www. cdc. gov
The United States Department of Labor, www. dol. gov �
Looks like the Tooth Fairy tightened her money bag after an all-time high payout in 2016. According to the Original Tooth Fairy Poll, sponsored by Delta Dental, the Tooth Fairy ' s cash gifts dropped to an average of $ 4.13.
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll has typically served as a good indicator of the economy ' s overall direction, tracking with the movement of Standard & Poor ' s 500 index( S & P 500) for 12 of the past 14 years. The December 2017 poll shows the Tooth Fairy hasn’ t quite been able to keep up with the market’ s hot pace— with an 11 percent cash payout decrease from 2016, while the S & P 500 saw a total return in 2017 of almost 18 percent.
Even though the average price of a tooth dropped, the Tooth Fairy still paid out a healthy $ 271 million for lost teeth across the nation. Those looking under their pillow for their first lost-tooth payout took far less of a hit, receiving an average $ 5.70 per tooth, only a minor drop from 2016 which saw a $ 5.72 payout.
" No matter how generous the Tooth Fairy decides to be, a visit from the Tooth Fairy is a great way to teach children good oral health habits at an early age," said Jennifer Elliott, chief marketing officer for Delta Dental Plans Association. " What better time to reinforce oral health messages than during the
Los Angeles Dental Society Explorer anticipation of a visit from the Tooth Fairy?” Other Tooth Fairy stats:
• The Tooth Fairy visits 84 percent of the nation ' s households with children.
• Fifty-five percent of parents confess that the Tooth Fairy may have missed a visit at some time.
• While the Tooth Fairy leaves money at 95 percent of the homes she visits, some parents say that the Tooth Fairy also leaves a small toy or game( 47 percent), a letter from the Tooth Fairy( 35 percent) or a toothbrush( 31 percent) in addition to or instead of money.
• Tooth Fairy payouts are highest in the West with $ 4.85($ 6.76 for the first tooth).
• Followed by the Northeast at $ 4.35($ 6.45).
• The South gave $ 4.12($ 5.68).
• The Midwest at $ 3.44($ 4.37).
* Footnote: The Original Tooth Fairy Poll was conducted between December 13 and December 28, 2017 among a nationally representative sample of 1,007 parents of children ages 6-12. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent. �